James Donald "Postie" Postlewaite, 74, of Owatonna died Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at his home in Owatonna. His final week was filled with laughter, shared memories, telephone calls and heartfelt goodbyes in an outpouring of affection from family and friends. Jim died from a serious heart condition diagnosed in 1985, counting himself blessed for the thirty extra years he had.
Jim was born June 7, 1940 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Russell P. and Helen (Karpen) Postlewaite. Jim graduated Cretin High School in 1958 and the University of Minnesota School of Mortuary Science in 1962. On September 7,1963 he married Patricia Murnane in St. Paul, Minnesota.
In 1970, they moved to Owatonna where Jim worked at Brick Funeral Home and in 1988, along with his wife, became owner of Brick-Postlewaite Funeral Home. Jim considered his service to families as both a profession and a ministry. In 2000, the funeral home was sold to Glen Meger. Following retirement in 2002, Pat and Jim spent summers in northern Minnesota.
Jim was a charter member of the Owatonna Sertoma Club, one of the founders of the Owatonna Tennis Boosters and was formerly active in the Elks, Eagles, and Knights of Columbus. Happiest when he was active and talking to other people, he considered everyone he met important. Jim loved tennis, golf, hunting, and fishing. He also loved to swim, kayak, socialize and travel with his wife, Pat, and to spend time with his family and friends. He cherished the times spent hunting, fishing, and building fires with his grandsons, Charlie and Jack.
Survivors include his wife Pat Postlewaite of Owatonna, daughters Ann Postlewaite of Reston, Virginia, and Monica Postlewaite of Duluth, son Philip (Kathy) Postlewaite and grandsons Charlie and Jack Postlewaite, Lakeville; brothers Jack (Lois) Postlewaite of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Jeff (Evalyn) Postlewaite of Menlo Park, California; sisters Judith (David) Markert of Centuria, Wisconsin; Janet (John) Sands of St. Paul, Minnesota, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Joan (Homer) Smith, and still-born son Steven.
Visitation will be at Brick-Meger Funeral Home (1603 Austin Rd, Owatonna) on Sunday, April 12, 2015 from 3 PM to 6 PM, and one hour prior to the funeral at the church. Mass of Christian burial will be held Monday, April 13 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (810 - South Cedar Ave. Owatonna) at 11:00 AM, with Rev. Paul Nelson and Rev. John Sauer concelebrating. Inurnment will be in Roselawn Cemetery, Roseville Minnesota at a later date.
Consistent with Jim's great love for music, special music will start in the church at 10:30 prior to the funeral.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials are preferred to the Owatonna Foundation or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation |