James M. Deutsch

James Martin Deutsch, 69, Browns Valley, MN, passed away Friday, May 7, 2010, at the Browns Valley Health Care Center.          Funeral Mass was Monday, May 10, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Beardsley, MN, with Father David Breu officiating.  Music was provided by organist Janet Kellen and vocalist Steve Kraushaar.                 Burial was in the St. Mary's Cemetery, Beardsley.  Honorary pallbearers were all of his nieces and nephews.  Active pallbearers were nephews Craig Deutsch and Curt Myrum.                   Visitation was Sunday, May 9, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. led by Sister Rebecca Littel at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Beardsley.      Jim was born November 26, 1940, in Webster, SD, to Alois and Ludmilla (Opitz) Deutsch.  He lived in Eden, SD, until 1949 when he moved with his family to Beardsley.  Jim graduated from Beardsley High School in 1959.  Upon graduation, Jim joined the monastery at Blue Cloud Abbey where he remained for five years as a Brother.  Upon leaving the Abbey, Jim moved to Mission, SD, for a short time.                  Jim later moved and worked in the Kansas City area for 33 years.  He returned to Beardsley in 1974 and purchased Dresch's Store which he renamed the Beardsley Food Center.  In 1978, he moved back to the Kansas City area and managed a grocery store until his return to Beardsley in 2001.  Jim became a resident of the Browns Valley Health Care Center in 2005.                  Jim was a former member of the Lions Club and a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus.  He was a big promoter of the fundraising activities at the Browns Valley Health Center and enjoyed dressing up for the various occasions.  Jim loved all children, especially his nieces and nephews.                  Jim is survived by his mother, Ludmilla Deutsch of Browns Valley; two brothers, Raymond (Alice) Deutsch of Choctaw, OK, and Larry (Nancy) Deutsch of Beardsley; four sisters, Mary (Gary) Lee of Milbank, SD, Donna (Mike) Myrum of Browns Valley, Virginia (Steve) Kraushaar, Fargo, ND, and Debbie (Brad) Cruser, Sauk Rapids, MN;  a sister-in-law, Marlene Deutsch of Beardsley; and numerous nieces and nephews.                 Jim was preceded in death by his father, Alois; his brothers, Alois, Jr., his twin brother Jeremy, and David (in infancy).