James Pekarek

James "Punch" Pekarek, 74 year old resident of Little Falls, MN died Friday, December 22, 2006 at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, December 27 at 11:30 A.M. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN with Rev. Nick Landsberger officiating. Burial will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery. Friends may call from 4-8 PM on Tuesday, December 26 at the Emblom-Brenny East Chapel and from 9:30-11:00 AM on Wednesday at the funeral chapel. Parish Prayers will be said at 7:30 PM Tuesday at the funeral chapel. James Pekarek was born July 20, 1932 in Highmore, South Dakota to the late Jack and Pauline (Truman) Pekarek. Jim moved with his family to Little Falls, MN at the age of 7. He graduated from Little Falls High School in 1950. He worked at Sears and Roebuck Co from 1950-1952 in Minneapolis, MN. James joined the National Guard in 1950 and became a federal employee at Camp Ripley in 1952. He retired from his federal job in August of 1988. He retired from the National Guard in May of 1989. Jim loved watching the Vikings, Twins and the Wheel of Fortune. He bowled on the senior citizens team from 1989-1999. He also was a member of the American Legion Post #46. James was a Golden Gloves Boxer and went to the Upper Midwest Championships in 1948, 49, 50. He became a Golden Gloves Coach in 1969 until the program was no longer in action. James married Rita Kruschek in June 1954. Rita died in November of 1967. He was then united in marriage to Shirley (Cuchna) Kinsella on June 1, 1968 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN. James is survived by his wife Shirley of Little Falls, MN; sons, Kelly Pekarek and wife, Sheryl of Berthoud, CO and Scott Pekarek of Little Falls, MN; step-son, Craig Kinsella of St. Helens, OR. sisters and brothers, Doris Longerbone and husband, Floyd of Minneapolis, MN, Kay Farris and husband, Don of Sartell, MN, Norma Smoley and husband, Joe of California, John Pekarek of Saretll, MN and Alan Pekarek and wife, Denise of Fridley, MN; eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by parents, Jack and Pauline Pekarek and step-son, Thomas Kinsella.