James Terrance Brazil

James Terrance Brazil, 91, of Morton, died Friday, September 22, 2023, at Riley Crossing Senior Living in Chanhassen, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, September 29, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Olivia.  The Rev. Joseph Steinbeisser will be the celebrant.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.   Visitation will be Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at the Dirks-Blem Funeral Home in Olivia. Visitation will continue Friday one hour prior to the services at the church in Olivia.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota or The American Cancer Society are preferred.

James Terrance Brazil was born in Birch Cooley Township on January 11, 1932, to Joseph and Margaret (Farenbaugh) Brazil.  He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Catholic Church in Morton.  He attended school in Morton where he graduated in 1950.  Following high school, he took over the family farm and made it his life’s work.   He married Dorothy Mae Hayek on July 18, 1959, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Olivia. Together, they raised their three children on the family farm north of Morton and farmed until he retired in 1996.  Jim served on the board of directors for the Morgan Elevator for many years.  He served on the Birch Cooley Township Board and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.  Jim was an avid outdoorsman, which included his passion for fishing, hunting deer, geese, and pheasants; and playing golf in his later years.  He enjoyed spending time at the family cabin on Green Lake, near Spicer.  He also loved to garden and kept two large gardens following his retirement and shared the fruits of his labors with family and many friends.

Jim is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his children: Mary Jo (Nick) Khalil of Eden Prairie, Dan (Bronwyn Collins) of Minneapolis, and Ann (Mike) Brazil Johnson of Golden Valley; his grandchildren: Chris (Emily), Michael, and John Khalil, Rhys Brazil, and Felix and Tatum Johnson; his sister, Doris Stensvad of Rogers, and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.  He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings: Lorraine Shultz, Mary Sanders, Dorothy Westerheim, and Joseph (Joe/Bud) Brazil.

Blessed Be His Memory

Dirks-Blem Funeral Service, Olivia, MN