James "Jim" Wolles

James “Jim” Wolles, age 82, of Dell Rapids, passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 AM Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Dell Rapids. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 PM Monday, at the church, with a Christian Wake Service beginning at 7:00 PM with a Catholic Order of Foresters Rosary to follow.

Jim was born on June 8, 1943, to Matt and Ida (Geraets) Wolles on a farm near Dell Rapids. He was the seventh of seven children. Jim attended St. Mary Grade and High School and graduated in 1961. He enlisted in the Army National Guard right after his junior year. Immediately after graduation, he left for basic training and then his unit was activated for the Berlin Crisis. Upon discharge from the Army, he farmed on the family farm until 1984. He then worked at Buskerud Construction and later for Crimson Fire. The last five years before retiring, he was the maintenance manager at St. Mary Church and School. He was a long-time member of the American Legion and Catholic Order of Foresters.

On May 31, 1965, he married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Bunkers. Together they raised their eight children. He enjoyed fishing, camping, and hunting.

Jim is survived by his wife, Shirley of Dell Rapids; children: Lisa (Lance) Buechler of Tualatin, OR, Diane (John) Thomas of Sioux Falls, Robert (Sherri) Wolles of Dell Rapids, Anthony (Brenda) Wolles of Dell Rapids, Karen (Jerry) Steffen of Cresco, IA, Peggy (Chad) McGuire of Sioux Falls, and Nancy (Paul) Shellum of Sherman, SD; son-in-law, David McCoss of Marshall, MN; 15 grandchildren; one great grandchild; siblings: Roger Wolles, of Dell Rapids, Ethel (Bob) Schmidt of Dell Rapids, and Walter (Sheila) Wolles of Nipomo, CA; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Terrie McCoss; parents, Matt and Ida Wolles; and siblings, Geraldine Goodale, Howard Wolles, and Richard Wolles.

Blessed be the life of James David Wolles!