James “Jim” Bavier

The funeral service for James “Jim” Bavier, 87, of Redwood Falls, will be Sunday, March 19, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Belview. A livestream and recording of the service will be available at www.youtube.com/oursaviorsbelview. Visitation will be Sunday from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m. at the church. Interment at the Belview Cemetery will take place at a later date.

James Bernard “Jim” Bavier was born on July 15, 1935, in Mora, MN, to Philip and Florence (Schatzlein) Bavier. Jim grew up in Ogilvie before moving with his family to Willmar at the age of twelve. Jim graduated from Willmar High School, then attended the University of Minnesota for one year before moving back to Willmar. While working at the State Hospital in Willmar, Jim met Twyla Anderson in January 1958. The couple was married three months later, on April 19, 1958, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Belview. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Fergus Falls, where they lived for eleven years while Jim worked as a dietary supervisor for the State of Minnesota. They then moved the family to Hopkins, where Jim worked at Red Owl for eight years. When their children were young, they moved to Belview to be closer to family, and so their children could attend school in Belview. After their children graduated, Jim and Twyla moved to Edina for ten years, where Jim did apartment maintenance. After their retirement, they lived with their daughter in Wisconsin for three years, before moving back to Belview in 2000. The couple’s final move was to Redwood Falls in 2019.

Jim was proud to have served for 20 years in the Army National Guard, serving as a dietary sergeant. While employed at the State Hospital, he was the Union President for AFL/CIO. Jim served as a church elder at Fairview Lutheran Church in Hopkins, and he was an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Belview. Jim and Twyla took trips with the family every year. In his free time, Jim enjoyed golfing, fishing, and watching game shows. He even was able to attend a recording of the Price is Right. He was in a bowling league for many years, and he volunteered at the Redwood Falls Animal Shelter. Jim was an animal lover, especially birds. He also loved to sing, but his absolute favorite thing to do was spend time with his children and grandchildren.

Jim died on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the CentraCare Hospital in St. Cloud. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Twyla Bavier of Redwood Falls; children Patrick (Lona) Bavier of Pine City, Dawn (Larry) Krysiak of Hudson, WI, Jennifer Miller of Hutchinson, Kelly (Anita) Bavier of Eau Claire, WI, Michael Bavier of Redwood Falls, Kayla (Craig) Iverson of Eau Claire, WI, and Mark (Ingrid) Bavier of Zimmerman; 17 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren; siblings Joanne Bavier of Hastings and Michael (Mary) Bavier of Barrington, Il; as well as many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, granddaughters Karina Bruns and Emily Ferguson, and brother Phil Bavier.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred in Jim’s name to a charity of your choice.Arrangements with
Sunset Funeral & Cremation Association
Echo, MN