James Lydell Rislund

James L. “Jim” Rislund, age 86, of Detroit Lakes, formerly of rural Waubun, MN, entered eternal life on January 17, 2024, at Bethany Retirement Living in Fargo, ND.

Jim was born to Alvin and Mabel (Olson) Rislund on September 10, 1937, in Audubon, MN. Following high school graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. Jim moved to the Twin Cities following his military service and began a career in the drywall business, where he worked for 26 years.

On June 6, 1961, Jim married Hattie (Olander), and together they raised five children. They made their home in Minnetonka for 28 years before moving to Tulaby Lake in 1986. Jim was a devoted member of the Elbow-Tulaby Lakes Volunteer Fire Department, serving as assistant chief for many years, and proud to have achieved his “quarter-century firefighter” status.

Jim was a man of many talents and hobbies. As an avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling. He had a passion for woodworking, gifting many of his projects to his children and grandchildren. Jim was a skilled craftsman who could fix anything and kept busy problem-solving, designing, building, and tinkering. Jim and Hattie loved visitors and never passed up the opportunity to welcome them in for coffee, cookies, and conversation. He will be fondly remembered for his kindness, generosity, and willingness to help everyone, especially his Tulaby Lake neighbors.

Jim will be greatly missed by his children: Mike (Paulette) Rislund, CindyLu (Kenley) Merrill, and Sherri (Ed) Houdek; his grandchildren: Bryan (Julie) Rislund, Chad (Jenni) Rislund, Adam Rislund (Lisa), Kate (Shaun) Werner, Tiffany (Tad) Blackwell, Tammy (Jimmy) Melland, Shawn (Bekka) Merrill, Jaime Kordonowy, and Jeff (Caroline) Houdek. He leaves 13 great-grandchildren along with his brothers, Durland (Shirley) Rislund, and Larry (Rita) Rislund; sister, Marlene Rislund; and sisters-in-law, Mary Rislund and Carol Olander. Jim is survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Jim is greeted in Heaven by his parents, wife, Hattie; son, Miles Rislund; daughter, Jeanne Houdek; brother, Curt Rislund; and brother-in-law, Lindy Olander.

A special thank you to Bethany Retirement Living and Sanford Medical Center & Hospice, Fargo for their compassionate care and concern for Jim.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Jim’s memory with a memorial donation to the family. Your gift will be forwarded to the Elbow-Tulaby Lakes Volunteer Fire Department.