James "Jim" Donner of Tracy, MN, has passed away, leaving behind a family and community who loved him dearly.
What remains is memory — and the gratitude of those he loved.
James spent his working life as ['the Works Projects Administration', 'Tractor Mechanic for Ruthenbeck &'] — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
Some legacies are not written; they walk the earth, named after those who came before.
James "Jim" Donner
October 20, 1935 - April 28, 2026
Tracy, MN
A gathering will be held to commemorate and honor the life of James "Jim" Donner at a later date. Jim died on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, under hospice care at his residence in Tracy after recently suffering a stroke. Jim donated his body to the Mayo Clinic Body Donation Program in Rochester, MN.
James Donner was born on October 20, 1935, in Lamberton, MN, to Herman and Bertha (Lawrenz) Donner. He attended school in Walnut Grove and graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1953. Jim worked for the Works Projects Administration, "WPA" after high school. He then served for two years in the U.S. Army. On December 14, 1957, he was united in marriage to Beverly Jean Harbo. To this union were born children Darin, Dawn, Dan and Amy.
Jim worked as a Tractor Mechanic for Ruthenbeck & Krieg, later Peterson -Baack International Dealership. He was a talented Mechanic and could fix just about anything. Later, Jim went to work for the Tracy Area High School. He was the Lead Groundskeeper, Bus Driver and Bus Mechanic. Jim greatly enjoyed this work at the school and established many relationships with "his" kids.
Jim was a quiet and gentle man with a twinkle in his eye and an excellent sense of humor. He loved the outdoors, especially fishing and hunting. He was most fond of time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jim is survived by his wife, Beverly "Bev" Donner of Tracy, Darin Donner (fiancé Angela Doyle) of Marshall, Dawn (Dave) Myers of Sibley, IA, Dan (Sue) Donner of Marshall, Amy Erickson of Bainbridge Island, WA; grandchildren Emily (Kelvin) Borchardt, Christy Fliss, Kelly (Luke) Walling, Eric (Shi) Donner, Elizabeth Myers, Luke Myers, Michael (Nicole) Donner, Colleen (Kevin) Seabury, Julian Erickson; great-grandchildren Archer, Gunner, Cali, JJ, Brystal, Brennyn, Lincoln, Lila, Avery, Jamison, Merrick and one on the way. Also survived by his siblings Beth Kleiman, Dale (Kathy) Donner, Diane Jordan, sister-in-law Shirley Lindquist and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends and all of his school kids. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Don and Darlo.
He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.
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