Obituary of James Chalstrom

James A. Chalstrom of Cambridge died on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at Cambridge Medical Center at the age of 82. He was born September 17, 1926 to Adolph and Judith (Lindell) Chalstrom in Cambridge, MN. He grew up in Dalbo, attending Cambridge schools until grade 11 and graduating from Princeton High School in 1944. While attending Princeton High School he met his future wife Audrey Anderson and they were voted Class Couple. At the age of 17, along with his father's permission, he joined the United States Navy, serving in the 146th Seabees as a crane operator in Okinawa. He served two years before returning home and marrying his high school sweetheart on June 19, 1947. They settled in Dalbo, with Jim working at the Princeton Co-op. He returned to work at the Dalbo Garage for Gunnard Hornquist doing car repair, the same place he had worked in his teen years while in Dalbo. Their first son Richard was born in 1947. In the early 1950's Jim began working for Matthews Roach Ford in Cambridge. He and Audrey purchased a home in Cambridge in 1955, six months after the birth of their second son Scott. In 1960 their daughter Nancy was born. He continued working for Jack Roach Ford until the mid 1980's, specializing in transmissions and front ends. Jim retired in the early 1990's from Cambridge Ford. Wanting to stay busy, he worked various jobs including parts delivery and tree planting. Jimmy enjoyed hunting and fishing all of his life. He also enjoyed curling until his knees would no longer allow him to. He enjoyed spending time with friends and family, and helped anyone with anything anytime he could. Jimmy was very involved with the VFW and American Legion, and enjoyed being a part of the Cambridge American Legion Color Guard. During the last ten years he and his family truly enjoyed a yearly trip to various locations across the country attending reunions with his Navy Seabee Unit, reuniting after 50 years apart. He would look forward to these reunions all year long. Jim and Audrey have been longtime members of the Cambridge Lutheran Church. He was the best and finest husband, dad, grandpa and a friend to many. Jimmy truly lived life to its fullest. James was preceded in death by his parents Adolph and Judith, brother Howard, son Richard and grandson Bryan. He is survived by his wife Audrey, son Scott of Cambridge, daughter Nancy (Mike Tharp) of Ogilvie, three grandchildren Caryn and her son great grandson Anthony of Champlin, Matthew (Kristina) of Isanti, Beth of Maryland, as well as other relatives and many friends.