James Smieja

James "Jim" Smieja, age 60 of Little Falls, MN, passed away Thursday, June 10, 2010 in Worchester, MA from injuries received in a motorcycle accident. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, June 18th, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls. Visitation will be held Thursday, June 17th from 4:00-8:00 P.M. and Friday, June 18th, from 8:00-10:00 A.M. at the Emblom Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls. The Christian Mothers will pray a Rosary at 4:30 P.M. Thursday evening at the funeral chapel followed by parish prayers at 7:00 P.M. Military Rites will be conducted by Little Falls American Legion Post #46. James "Jim" Smieja was born April 10, 1950 in Little Falls, Morrison County, MN to the late Adolph & Delphine (Sobiech) Smieja. He grew up in Little Falls where he attended Little Falls High School, graduating with the Class of 1968. He attended Bemidji State University for one year. Jim entered the United States Army on December 22, 1969 in Minneapolis, MN. He received an Honorable Discharge on November 7, 1972 at Fort Bragg, NC. Jim then served in the Army Reserve until 1975 and in the Army National Guard until his retirement on October 22, 1998. Jim then worked as a corrections officer for Morrison County for 12 years and NADCO Marble/Little Falls Granite Works of Little Falls. He was united in marriage to Robin Westfall on March 18, 1972, in Fort Bragg, NC. Following their marriage, Jim and Robin moved to Little Falls, MN where they have made their home. Jim enjoyed working on his hobby farm south of Little Falls, which Jim & Robin owned for 28 years. He enjoyed fishing, pheasant & deer hunting, working on and manicuring his lawn, playing cards & Cribbage, watching hockey and the Minnesota Wild and especially riding his motorcycle. Jim was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls, Little Falls American Legion Post #46 and the Patriot Guard. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Robin; daughters, Christina (Lyle) Pennell of Simsbury, CT, Denise Smieja of St. Paul, MN; son, Jon Smieja and fiance', Lacey Bachan, of San Diego, CA; grandchildren, Madeline & Abigail Pennell of Simsbury, CT; sisters & brothers, Mary (Fred) Gundlach of Crosslake, MN, Nick (Paula) Smieja, of New Folden, MN, Marge (Mike) Mohler of Little Falls, MN, Jeanette (Mike) Klisch of St. Joseph, MN, Patty (Gary) Traphagan of Eau Claire, WI, Mark (Judi) Smieja of Brainerd, MN, Don (Dana) Smieja of Dassel, MN, Joanne (Mark) Smieja-Hernick of Spokane, WA, Liz (John) Hernick of Richfield, MN and Steve (Kristi) Smieja of Andover, MN; many nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Adolph & Delphine Smieja and a son, James. Honorary pallbearers are members of the Morrison County Sheriff's Department. Casket Bearers are his son, Jon Smieja; brothers, Nick Smieja, Mark Smieja, Don Smieja, Steve Smieja and good friend, Gale LeBlanc.