James A. Given

 Given, James Allen age 67, of Princeton, passed away peacefully in his home on Thursday, March 18, 2021, with loved ones by his side, after a four year long hard-fought battle with cancer.

Jim was born on March 20, 1953, in St. Louis Park, MN, to Robert & Vida Given. He grew up in St. Louis Park and met the love of his life at 16 years old in 10th grade study hall. Jim and Bev moved their family to Rockford in 1977, and then in 1983 as a family built their log home in Elk River where they resided until 2001, at which time they moved north to Princeton, MN.

Jim had a passion for the outdoors and hunting that goes back to a young age. Jim worked as a young boy training dogs during the summer. His love for the outdoors led him to leave the city and expand his horizons and his curiosity for the wilderness. He started his woodsman career by teaching himself to construct a log cabin from raw standing timber in northern MN. His knowledge expanded from building cabins to log homes and onward to many numerous bushcraft arts and adventures.

Jim was an accomplished archer with numerous state and national championship titles and records. He and Bev traveled to Las Vegas for many years for the World Archery Festival, then Jesse started traveling along with him as well. He was also an avid big game hunter, harvesting many trophies over the years while bow and rifle hunting. His love of the outdoors was fueled by a desire to share his knowledge with his family as well as his 2 grandsons. Jim was truly a mentor to many. His eye for perfection was second to none and was visible in his skills of fabrication. Jim manufactured many of his own tools and machines from raw materials. Some of his skills included creating knives, tables, carvings, and wood structures. Jim was a passionate worker of steel and manufactured his own forges for blacksmithing knives and self-taught leatherworks. He even crafted his own sawmill and a complete firewood processing unit.

Jim had many passions. Later in life, it was horsepower and hot rods which was also an interest at a young age drag racing with his wife Bev. He recently purchased a GMC Sonoma pickup with a 5.3 LS fuel injected V8 engine.

One of Jim’s favorite places to be  was at his lake cabin in northern MN, which was Hand-Hewn by him and his family.  It was very important to him to spend time with his family enjoying many outdoor activities as well as every hunting season at the lake.

James is survived and will be deeply missed by his wife of 50 years, Beverly; daughter, Jody; son, Jesse & daughter-in-law Betsy; grandsons, Taylor & Dillon; sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law, nieces & nephews.

He is preceded in death and welcomed into Heaven by his parents, Bob & Vida Given; brother, Brian Given; sister, Daphne Bergeron; Mother & Father-in-law, Jim & Norma Lemke and great niece, Michelle.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for April 10th, 2021, starting at 1:00pm (more details to come), at the Northern Lights Ballroom & Banquet Center (10376 – 112th Ave, Milaca, MN). Arr. Dare’s Funeral Home 763-441-1212 www.daresfuneralservice.com

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