James M. Poncelet

James M. "Jim" Poncelet, age 74, of Mazeppa died on Friday, February 22, 2008 at his residence. A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 11:00 AM at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Mazeppa with Father Robert G. Meyer officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, February 26, 2008 from 4:00 � 8:00 PM at the Mahn Family Funeral Home � Larson Chapel in Zumbrota with a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 4:00 PM and on Wednesday one hour prior to the mass at the church.
James Mathew Poncelet was born on January 20, 1934 in Bellechester, MN to Matthew and Angela (nee Kohn) Poncelet. He grew up in the Bellechester area and attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Bellechester. Jim attended Goodhue High School for three years and graduated from McCahill Catholic School in Lake City in 1951. He farmed with his parents and on May 4, 1955 he married Beverly M. Reding at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Mazeppa. They made their home in Bellechester for a few years, before moving to a farm in Chester Township. They farmed in Chester Township until semi-retiring in 1995. Jim served as a Wabasha County Commissioner for sixteen years, served on the boards of the Restorative Justice Board for twenty two years and the Three Rivers Community Action Council for twenty two years. He was also a member of Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, where he served on the finance board and the Knights of Columbus Council #2751 in Bellechester. He enjoyed collecting toy tractors, guns, coin dot dishes, going to casinos, auctions and driving through machinery lots. He loved farming and spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Jim is survived by his wife, Beverly, seven children, Bob (Denise) Poncelet, Tom (Tammy) Poncelet, Deb (Louis) Blanck all of Mazeppa, Cindy (Warren) Majerus of Bellechester, Diane (Kenny) Gilsdorf of Mazeppa, Lynn (Chad) Freiheit of Zumbrota and Terry (Karen) Poncelet of Mazeppa, nineteen grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, his mother, Angela Poncelet of Lake City, three brothers, Fritz (Rose) Poncelet of Mazeppa, Nick (Jeanette) Poncelet of Lake City and Dennis (Pam) Poncelet of Mazeppa, two sisters, Marge (Jerry) Majerus of Bellechester and Betty Cronin of Lake City, two foster brothers, Harold (Jane) Roberts of Pine Island and Dave Sackette of Duluth. Jim was preceded in death by his father, Matthew and two brothers in law, Jerry Cronin and Clarence Schafer. Casketbearers are Chad and Jeff Poncelet, Brian Blanck, Kyle Majerus, Travis Hultgren and Colten Stier. Honorary bearers are PJ Poncelet, Wyatt Freiheit, Kevin and Cory Patnaude and Carlos Freire.