James Szarke

James “Jim” Alan Szarke

Jim was born in Mankato, MN on October 7, 1939 to Joseph Leo Szarke and Elizabeth Mary Ann (Thier) Szarke. He peacefully died of complications from dementia and Parkinson’s Disease on July 30, 2025 at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls, MN surrounded by his family.

Jim grew up in Blue Earth, MN until age 5 and then moved to Buffalo, MN. Jim attended Blue Earth School and then St. Francis Catholic School for 7 ½ years. He graduated from Buffalo High School in 1957. After graduation, Jim joined the United States Air Force. After he completed Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, he was stationed in Biloxi, MS, Rapid City, SD and Iceland. He reached the rank of Airman 1st Class as a Radar Operator and was honorably discharged in 1961.

He graduated from St. Cloud State College in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. He obtained his Master of Science degree in Special Education with an emphasis on teaching students with learning disabilities in 1968. He had a distinguished teaching career that spanned over 34 years in Cokato, Roseville, Fergus Falls, Morris, Dent and Perham, MN. Notably he served six years as Special Education Director in Fergus Falls and Morris. The last nineteen years of his career he taught 5th grade in the Perham/Dent school district. In 2000, Jim retired from teaching to care for his wife Patricia.

While attending college, he met and married Patricia “Pat” Louise Trandahl on August 24, 1963. From this union seven children were born: Christopher James, Deborah Jo, Maria Patrice, Katrina Rae, David Alan, Daniel Eric and Jonathan Paul. In 1975 he took a break from teaching, purchased the Hartz grocery store in Gonvick, MN and ran the store with his family for five years. After selling the store he and his family moved to Perham, MN where he sold insurance for a short time but the love of teaching drew him back into his true calling.

After losing his first wife Pat to cancer, he married Dianne Katherine (Altstadt) Rohde on April 26, 2003. He spent his retirement years active in the Adopt a Godchild program, was active on many boards including St. Henry’s Parish Trustees, Kinship and local and regional Library boards. He was a faithful volunteer at St. Henry’s Catholic Church where he taught religion classes and delivered communion to shut-ins for many years. He loved attending youth track meets and supporting local young people. He prayed faithfully for family and friends alike. Jim loved to jump in the car and take day trips to visit his family with a stop at Itasca State Park to drink in the beauty and grab a quick ice cream.

He is survived by his wife, Dianne Rohde-Szarke, Perham, MN; sister Betty Skoglund (Donald), Maple Grove, MN; brother John Szarke, Duluth, MN; brothers-in-law George Altstadt (Ardith), Perham, MN and Roger Altstadt (Sue), Perham, MN; son Christopher Szarke, Salt Lake City, UT; son-in-law David Mueller (Gina), Dayton, MN; daughter Maria Terry (Wayne), St. Clair, MN; daughter Katrina Grotjahn (Lonnie), Rochester, MN; son David Szarke, Alexandria, MN; son Daniel Szarke (Dawn), Colorado Springs, CO; son Jonathan Szarke (Leah), Greensboro, NC; step-daughter Robin Rohde Keller (Mike), Dayton, MN; step-son Myren “Mickey” Rohde, Jr. (Susan), Perham, MN; grandchildren, Lianna Mueller, Dallas, TX; Michael Mueller, Seattle, WA; Joseph Mueller, Anoka, MN; Maria Mueller (Jake), Lake Wylie, SC; Alex Mueller (Bethany), Buffalo, MN; Daniel Mueller, Dayton, MN; Sarah Terry, Rochester, MN; Isabelle Terry, Benjamin Terry, St. Clair, MN; Alex Szarke (Kayla), New London, WI; Logan Slaughter, Weyauwaga WI; Deborah Stalboerger (Jordan), Winona, MN; Jordyn Anderson, Neilsville, WI; David Grotjahn, Rochester, MN; Annelie Szarke, Mathieu Szarke, Katherine Szarke, Colorado Springs, CO; Lawson Szarke, Jayson Szarke, Brielle Waiganjo, Greensboro, NC; Samuel Keller, Steamboat Springs, CO; Theodore Keller, Pleasant Hill, IA; Owen McShane, Moorhead, MN; Leah McShane, Dayton, MN; Ethan Rohde, Fergus Falls, MN; Jaxson Rohde, Aspen Rohde, Boden Rohde, Perham, MN; and great-grandchildren, Elzen Mueller, Autumn Frenning, Korbin Frenning, Klara Frenning, Kassius Frenning, Keanu Frenning, Benedict Mueller & baby on the way, Azaelia Szarke, Azariah Szarke, Willow Szarke, Koa Szarke, Kylie Stalboeger, Noah Mitte, RaeLynn Mitte and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Patricia Szarke; daughter Deborah Szarke Mueller; brothers Joseph Szarke, Steven Szarke and Roger Szarke; grandson Patrick Slaughter; and nephews Michael Skoglund and Joseph Kuehn.

Jim’s family would like to thank the staff of the Minnesota Veterans Home for the exceptional care, affection and honor provided to him. He was very fortunate and blessed to have spent his last four years in such a special and loving place.

Blessed be the memory of Jim Szarke.

Visitation will be 2:00-5:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 5:00 and Parish Prayers at 5:15 on Sunday, August 3, 2025 at Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service in Perham. Visitation will resume from 10:00-11:00 a.m. followed by the Funeral Mass at 11:00 on Monday, August 4 at St. Henry’s Catholic Church in Perham. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service, Perham, MN (218) 346-5175 www.schoenebergerfh.com