General Information
Full Name: James Michael Resop
Date of Birth: September 30, 1949
Date of Death: September 12, 2012
James Resop Life Story
James Michael Resop was born on September 30, 1949 in Minneapolis, MN. He was the first-born to parents F. James and Margaret Louise (Cady) Resop and the eldest of six children. James attended and graduated from Bloomington Kennedy high school. He furthered his education with a Bachelor of Arts Degree of Economics from Hamline University. He spent most of his career practicing real estate as a commercial REALTOR and was proud to carry on the legacy of his father by keeping the business name of “Resop Realty”.
As a child, one of his fondest memories was spending time with his parents, grandparents and siblings boating on the St. Croix River on their cruiser the “Stella Maris”. At 16, he was introduced to Jan Leidner by her sister Eileen. After a long friendship, he asked Jan to marry him and they were married on October 17, 1970 at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Bloomington. He demonstrated love on a daily basis with little acts like making lunch every work day for Jan or starting the day with a fresh cup of coffee and their daily reading of a shared devotional.
Jim and Jan were blessed with three children: James, Brooke and Michael. He followed the greatest commandment to love one another and his children knew how very much he loved each of them. He demonstrated this love on a daily basis by always encouraging, believing in and demonstrating a positive attitude, no matter what challenges were at hand. He quietly went about helping each of his kids, including their spouses (which he considered “his” children).
Life got better anytime he could spend time with his five little “princesses’ (granddaughters): Alexis, Peyton, Khloe, Faith-Ann and “Piper girl”. He treasured their time and would read to them, play with them and send them home completely exhausted by a fun filled day of adventures, stories and life lessons!
James was the cornerstone of his family. He was a good and godly man and an amazing father. He used to say, “If you can read, you can learn anything!” and he proved his love of reading by collecting books on almost any topic. He enjoyed time boating on the St. Croix River, now on the “Stella Maris II”. His family will never forget “the adventures” with Grandpa cruising up to the “Kinnikinnick Islands” (a land of little trolls). Special time with family and recollections of happy memories as a kid.
A gentle, confident man known for his encouraging words, James was steadfast in faith and was an active volunteer for the Church of St. Michael. He held many positions including trustee and volunteered whenever possible. James left an indelible impression on those he encountered.
James died unexpectedly at the age of 62 as he entered God’s arms on the morning of September 12, 2012. His legacy will live on through everyone who knew him – his family, his friends and all those whose lives he has touched. We hope for having known him, people will be a little kinder, thoughtful, selfless, patient and laugh a little more.
Forever loved as a husband, father, grandpa, big brother and friend, James will be deeply missed by his loving wife, Jan; children, Jamie (Jennifer) Resop, Brooke (Jason) Huerkamp, Michael (Annie) Resop all of New Market; granddaughters, Alexis Marie, Peyton Nicole, Khloe Lynn, Piper Janice, Faith Ann; siblings, Sandra (Mike) Dallett of Tallahassee, FL, Cynthia (Eric) Gardener of Kansas City, MO, Mary O’Neil of Oak Harbor, WA, Joe Resop of Oak Harbor, WA; many other loving family and friends.
James is preceded in death by his parents, F. James and Margaret Louise (Cady) Resop; brother, John Resop.
His urn bearer’s will be his five princesses (granddaughters).
Visitation: Sunday, September 16, 2012 from 4-8 p.m. and Monday, September 17, 2012 from 10-11 a.m. at the Church of St. Michael, Prior Lake.
Funeral Mass: Monday, September 17, 2012 at 11 a.m., at the Church of St. Michael. Father Tom Sieg will officiate.
James will be laid to rest at St. Michael Catholic cemetery, Prior Lake.
The Resop family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake Chapel.
Dying Well
We will all die one day. That is one of the few things we can be sure of. But will we die well? That is less certain. Dying well means dying for others, making our lives fruitful for those we leave behind. The big question, therefore, is not “What can I still do in the years I have left to live?” but “How can I prepare myself for my death so that my life can continue to bear fruit in the generations that will follow me?”
Jesus died well because through dying he sent his Spirit of Love to his friends, who with that Holy Spirit could live better lives. Can we also send the Spirit of Love to our friends when we leave them? Or are we too worried about what we can still do? Dying can become our greatest gift if we prepare ourselves to die well.
– Henri J. M. Nouwen
Visitation
When: Sunday, September 16, 2012, 4-8 PM
Location: Church of St. Michael
Address: 16311 Duluth Ave. SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
Service Information
When: Monday, September 17, 2012, 11:00 AM
Location: Church of St. Michael
Address: 16311 Duluth Ave. SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
Interment Information
Location: St. Michael Catholic Cemetery
Address: Prior Lake, MN
