Musser, James Bruce 1956-2011
MUSSER, HARTMAN, MANUELITO, ROONEY, GREEN, STEWARD, WIEMERSLAGE, MANUELITO-KERKVLIET
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 11/9/2012 at 10:58:02
James (Jim) Bruce Musser, a resident of Thief River Falls, MN, died at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND on Friday, October 14, 2011—three days after his 55th birthday, following a two-year battle with cancer compounded by recent lung complications.
A Celebration of Jim’s Life will be held on Monday, October 17 at 6:00 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, with Father Rick Lambert presiding. Refreshments will be hosted by Jim’s friends and co-workers following the service.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 21 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah with Monsignor E. W. Lechtenberg (a family friend) presiding. Burial will be in St. Benedict Cemetery.
Viewing and visitation at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah will be held on Thursday, October 20 from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M., with a Vigil Service held at 6:00 P.M. Thursday by Deacon Nick Francois. Visitation will also be on Friday one hour before the service at the church.
Jim was born on October 11, 1956 in Decorah, IA to Arland and Barbara (Hartman) Musser. Jim’s birth parents preceded him in death in 1962 and 1969. Jim was lovingly raised by his ‘parents’ Charles and Marcella Rooney of Decorah until after his graduation from Decorah High School in 1975.
Jim married his beloved Navajo wife Roberta (Bobbie) Manuelito on October 15, 1988 in Denver, CO. There he worked for US West and Wells Fargo, until his life’s work became compassionate and meaningful service to individuals with mental and physical disabilities.
In 2002, Jim and Bobbie moved to the Upper Midwest region to be closer to Jim’s family, comprised of caring parents, siblings, nieces and one nephew. Jim’s greatest joys and delights were Bobbie, family gatherings, fishing, spectator sports, tinkering with home improvements, silversmithing, playing his Native American flute, and enjoying four-legged, furry friends. Jim’s deep respect for Navajo culture, prayers and ceremonial traditions sustained him throughout his life.
At the Mental Health Division of Northwest Medical Center (Sanford Medical Center) in Thief River Falls, Jim worked as a therapeutic activities coordinator and in community-based support services, assisting clients with mental health issues. He was deeply committed to making a difference in their lives and inspired hope so they may deal more effectively with their life challenges.
Jim is survived by his devoted wife of 23 years, Roberta Manuelito of Thief River Falls; beloved mother: Marcella Rooney of Decorah, IA; three loving sisters : Arla (Paul) Green of Lafayette, IN; Sandra Steward and Ellie Wiemerslage both of Albert Lea, MN; and “the world’s greatest brother” David (Annette) Rooney of Decorah, IA; and kindhearted nephew and nieces: Kade, Bess, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Emma, Clara, Ellen, Alicia, and Shayla; and Pat Luren—lifetime family friend.
Additional surviving family members include Carol and Ronnye Manuelito, mother- and brother-in-law of Naschitti, NM; sisters-in-law: Cassandra Manuelito-Kerkvliet of Seattle, WA; Eugenia and Brenda Manuelito of Tucson, AZ; and numerous aunts, uncles, special friends and “Sanford and Digikey Family” members.
Jim is preceded in death by his birth parents Arland and Barbara (Hartman) Musser; father-in-law, Robert Manuelito; beloved cocker spaniels Trooper and Whitney; and most recently, on June 17, 2011, his dad and fishing companion, Charles Rooney. “May each person whose lives were touched by Jim’s gentle and quiet spirit strengthen and sustain you as you Walk in Beauty.”
Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database
St, Benedict Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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