James Manderfeld

James H. Manderfeld passed away on July 22, 2020 surrounded by family in Duluth, MN at age 95 after a short battle with Multiple Myeloma.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hilger and Ottilia Manderfeld; his sister, Joan Brandt; his loving wife of 60 years, Marilyn; and his youngest son, Christopher.  He will be greatly missed by his children and their spouses: Mark (Deb), Leslie (Jack), David (Laura), Shelly (Bruce), and Peter (Michelle); by his grandchildren: Nicholas, Michael (Casey), Matthew (Leah), Jessica (Joe), Kristine (Ben), Elizabeth (Matt), Joshua (Erin), Mikayla (Kyle), Katy and Noah; by his great grandchildren: Noble, Crosby, Amazia, Jack, and Eloise; by very special nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; by his special friend, Carmen Hartley; and by many loving friends and wonderful neighbors.

Born 1925 St Paul, MN and raised in the Como Park neighborhood, Jim attended St. Andrew’s Grade School and Murray High School where he was the 1943 senior class president.  He was an Army Air Corps veteran and one of the first Americans to land in Japan at the conclusion of World War II.  He attended Michigan State, the University of Minnesota, and the Chicago Academy of Accountancy on the GI-Bill.

His career revolved around the automobile business where he worked in finance and, later, as the general manager for a network of dealerships.  In 1977, he purchased Metro Chrysler-Plymouth and moved with his family from Roseville to Duluth, where he lived the rest of his life.

Jim was a 43-year member of Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish and of the Serra Ministry, and a past volunteer at Benedictine Chapel.  He will be remembered as a man who loved his family and valued his faith.  Jim was a hardworking businessman who cared about treating customers and employees fairly.   He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word and a gifted story-teller with a playful sense of humor who could work a room better than anyone. He was an enthusiastic traveler who loved the people and the stories he found along the way.  He instilled in his family, his love of baseball, he was super-fan of women’s ice hockey, and the “liberal” among his friends. Most of all, he simply loved people.

Many thanks to the Essentia Hospice nurses and to Dr. Jesus Vera and staff for their compassionate care.

Mindful of the COVID-19 Pandemic Jim’s family will celebrate his life with a private mass held Friday July 31st at Cathedral of our Lady of the Rosary, Duluth, MN, with internment following at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to: the Richard I. Bong Museum Veteran Historical Center, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, Honor Flights Northland, Serra Ministries, Essentia Hospice, or to donor’s choice.   Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, Duluth, 218-727-3555.