James Hill

James H. Hill, 81, Hibbing, died Friday, November 21, 2014 at his home after battling Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.  He was born in Duluth to Laino and Anna (Nickoliason) Hill on July 25, 1933, had lived on the Iron Range until age 8 then moved to Grand Marais until 1952.  James was an Army veteran having served during the Korean Conflict. He retired from Bell Telephone after 28 years of service.  After his retirement he worked in private telephone repair and with Power Product Services for 5 years. He enjoyed fishing, especially trout fishing on Lake Superior, Moose and Deer hunting, and camping.   Due to the rarity of his disease, Jim had made arrangements to have his body donated to the U of M Research Center in Minneapolis.
He will be missed by his wife Rosemary whom he married on December 1, 1973 in Hibbing, children, Donald (Ellie) Hill, Lakeville, MN, Debbie (Arnold) Lundstrom, Tower, MN, Mark (Gina) Rathbun, Elk River, MN, Dennis (Kris) Hill, Embarrass, MN, Dorie Hill, Superior, WI, Lori Laliberte, Hibbing, Lynn (Henry) Erkelenz, Hibbing, and James (Cheryl) Hill Jr., Brighton, CO, grandchildren, Joey, Sarah, Theresa, Heather, Lisa, Hallie, Maggie, Adam, Alec, Ashley, Damian, Michael, Jaymie, Eric, Nicole, Nick, Austin, Josh, Lauren, Tyler, Victoria, and Morgan, several great grandchildren, his brother, Richard (Patty) Hill, Cedar, MN, brothers in law, James (Donna) Mehle, Hibbing, Michael (Jan) Mehle, Minnetonka, MN, and Bobby (Jayme) Mehle, Maple Grove, MN.  He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Mary Ann Hanson and Phillip Hill, and grandson, Jason Laliberte.
Memorial services will be held at 1:00 pm. Friday, December 5, 2014 in the Dougherty Funeral Home with Chaplain Bonnie Schandorf officiating.  Visitation will begin at Noon. Burial will be in the Ely Cemetery at a later date.  Military Honors will be accorded following the Memorial Service by the Mid-Range Honor Guard. The family would like to extend a thank you to the East Range Hospice Team especially Gina Rittgers.

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