Obituary: James D. Hahn

James Hahn passed away on October 12, 2023 at Gunderson Harmony Care Center in Harmony, Minnesota. He was 98 years old.

James Darius was born on June 12, 1925 in Preston, Minnesota, the son of Joseph Godfrey Hahn and Ursa Broadwater Hahn. He was the youngest of 11 children. James attended Preston Public School, and after finishing school, he helped his dad on the farm, which was located just outside of Preston along U.S. Hwy 52.

On November 30, 1947, he married Violet Beatrice Gullickson at the Elstad Lutheran Church in rural Lanesboro. They made their home on the Hahn family farm and welcomed a son, Joseph Palmer Hahn, on March 25, 1950. In 1968, they sold the farm, moving to land they purchased north of Preston. James and Violet enjoyed living independently in their home until February 2020 when they moved to Harmony Place in Harmony, Minnesota.

James was a lifelong member of the old United Brethren Church until it closed. James and Violet joined the Christ Lutheran Church in Preston. They were committed to their church and community, family and friends. James belonged to the Preston Masonic for over 60 years and was Master of the Lodge many times. He also served on many different local organization boards over the years.

In 1975, James and his son Joe started Hahn Lumber Co. in Harmony, which continued until November 2020. In addition to business ownership, James also did carpentry work. After retirement, he continued to be involved in the business and was a regular fixture at the Yard, doing various errands for Joe and socializing with customers and other carpenters. For many years, he drove a van with Hahn Lumber Co. emblazoned on the side, his faithful black Labrador companion riding in the passenger seat.

James loved to hunt and fish. His biggest enjoyment was going out West to hunt elk and deer. He liked sweets, especially chocolates, and happily gifted his great grandchildren a treat whenever they visited. He would do anything for his family, especially his three granddaughters who held him in the highest esteem and loved him adoringly. James had a great belly laugh, a playful grin, and often a mischievous twinkle in his brown eyes. In November 2022, James and Violet celebrated 75 years together, an amazing and lovely milestone. James lost Violet three months later on February 21, 2023.

James is survived by his son Joseph and wife Susan (Johnson) Hahn of Harmony, three granddaughters: Amy Hahn (Chris Sattler) of Preston; Jessica Hahn-Miller of Harmony, and Emily Hahn Larson (Chris Larson) of Harmony, and four great-grandchildren: Anya Hahn Miller, Sophia Emily Larson, Finnegan Hahn Sattler, and James Christopher Larson.

James Darius was preceded in death by his wife Violet, his parents, and siblings: Clifford, Luella, Ruth, Mary, Clara, Carol, Nellie, June, Alice and Pershing.

The family thanks the hospice nurses and staffs at Harmony Place and Harmony Gunderson Care Center for the care given to James Darius.

The funeral will be held at Christ Lutheran Church in Preston on Saturday, October 21 at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Crown Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour before the service.

Source: Hindt Funeral Home