James Lastine

James M. Lastine, age 82 of St. James, MN, passed away on Sunday, April 30, 2023, at St. James Mayo Hospital. A visitation will be held on Thursday, May 11, 2023, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. A memorial service will be held Friday, May 12, 2023, at 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church in St. James with Pastor David Lick officiating. Interment will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in St. James. Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.

James Michael Lastine was born on October 19, 1940, at the Austin Hospital in Austin, MN, the son of Gordon and Adella (Errington) Lastine. He attended country school through the 5th grade. He then graduated from St. James High School, District 19, in 1958. While in high school, James worked at the Sharpsteen Gas Station, set bowling pins at the bowling alley in St. James, worked at the pea factory and baled for different farmers. After high school, James began driving truck at Tony Downs Foods hauling refrigerated food. He was drafted and served in the United States Army from 1963 to 1965 in Panama. While in the service, he was united in marriage to Lee Etta Emily Shaffer on December 31, 1963, in Sioux Falls, SD. James spent his entire career driving truck over the road to the east coast. He was leased to Nationwide Trucking, Reefer Transit (Worthington, MN), then later obtained his own authority. He spent 60 plus years driving and finally retired at the age of 75. He spent a few of his last years of trucking pulling his son-in-law, Craig Nelson’s grain trailer.

James was previously a member of the United Methodist Church and currently was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, both in St. James. He really enjoyed delivering meals on wheels with Lee Etta. James was a lifetime member of the American Legion.

James was an avid and excellent bowler. He played in bowling leagues for a number of years. In his mid-sixties, he fulfilled a dream he had and purchased a Honda Gold Wing Three Wheel motorcycle. Many miles were put on his motorcycle. He took many trips to Sturgis in South Dakota and traveled to Alabama to attend the Talladega Race. When he left Alabama, he traveled on his motorcycle to the east coast to visit many friends. James also enjoyed Nascar races. He went for a few years to the final race of the year at Homestead, FL. James had very few hobbies as he spent many years devoted to being a truck driver and providing for his family. He dearly loved his family and friends. He has reunited in Heaven with everyone that went before him, including walking hand in hand with his granddaughter Sadie Jo.

James is survived by his son, Kris (Lisa Heinis) Lastine of Red Wing, MN; daughter, Kim (Craig) Nelson of St. James, MN; grandson, David (Courtney) Nelson of Mt. Lake, MN; great-grandchildren, Ian Nelson and Alayna Nelson; 4 step-grandchildren; 15 step-great-grandchildren; siblings, Tom Lastine of Hanska, MN and Kay Lastine of Lake City, MN; sisters-in-law, Edith Leggett of Salem, OR and Karen Shaffer of Naples, FL; and brother-in-law, Roger (Tami) Shaffer of Thief River Falls, MN.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lee Etta Lastine; parents, Gordon and Adella Lastine; parents-in-law, Joseph and Ella Shaffer; siblings, Bill (Dorothy) Lastine, Dan Lastine, and infant twins, Karen and Keith Lastine; sister-in-law, Carolyn (Tootie) Lastine; brothers-in-law, Ken (JoAnn) Shaffer, Norman (Mary) Shaffer, and Robert Shaffer; granddaughter, Sadie Jo Nelson; and nephew, Keith Shaffer.