James "Jim" Loken

James “Jim” Leonard Loken, age 78, of Vining, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at his home.

James Leonard Loken was born on February 14, 1947, in Long Prairie, Minnesota, to Leonard and Mary Jane (Burger) Loken. He attended and graduated from Long Prairie High School as part of the class of 1965. Jim enlisted in the United States National Guard for two years until he was given a medical discharge.

James was united in marriage to Shirley Ann Mehrhoff in 1967. To this union three children were born Kevin, Bradley and LaCinda.

He worked as a truck driver for Long Prairie rendering plant for a few years. In 1969, he purchased a dairy farm in Clarissa, Minnesota and lived there for 29 years working as a farmer. He then semi-retired moving to Vining where the couple bought a 40-acre hobby farm and raised a few cattle. During this time, he also worked for Jennie-O Turkey Plant truck driving and working in the plant for 16 years.

Jim enjoyed coon hunting, trapping, fishing, deer hunting in the camper, country music and learning about history. He would take monthly trips to the casinos with his wife. Whenever, he and Shirley went fishing they took their old pink boat out on the water, affectionately known by other fishers as the “Pink Lady”. Jim loved his family and spending time with them.

James is preceded in death by his parents Leonard and Mary Jane, parents-in-law Fred and Helen Mehrhoff, sons: infant Kevin James and Bradley James, sister Janice, and brothers-in-law Gary Johnson, Sanford Olson, and Art Mehrhoff.

Deeply loved, Jim’s passing will be mourned by his wife of 59 years Shirley; daughter LaCinda “Cindy” (Charles “Chuck”) Burgess; grandchildren: Kevin Burgess and Kendra Hammer; sister Shirley Carry; brother David Loken; friend Kathy; daughter-in-law Lynn (Mark) Hammer; extended family of Lynn Hammer; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and life long friends.

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