James “Jim” E. Welhaven
Friday, January 18, 1946
Date of Death:
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Age:
78 years old
Visitation
Date: Tuesday August 13, 2024
Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Second Visitation
Date: Wednesday August 14, 2024
Time: 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Location: Co-Cathedral of St. John The Evangelist [ view map ]
Mass of Christian Burial
Date: Wednesday August 14, 2024
Time: 10:30 am
Location: Co-Cathedral of St. John The Evangelist [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Calvary Cemetery [ view map ]
Friday, January 18, 1946
Date of Death:
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Age:
78 years old
Friday, January 18, 1946
Date of Death:
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Age:
78 years old
James “Jim” E. Welhaven
James “Jim” Earl Welhaven passed away peacefully with his family by his side on August 8, 2024, of complications from Parkinson’s disease with dementia. He was born to Earl and Margaret “Peg” Welhaven in Duluth on January 18, 1946. Six months later, they moved to Rochester where Earl accepted a position at Lourdes High School as their first band director. In 1954, Jim’s parents founded Welhaven Music, and Jim began helping out in the music store in high school. He graduated from Lourdes High School in 1964 and then attended Saint Mary’s College in Winona. In 1966, he joined the U.S. Army Reserves and was honorably discharged in 1972. Then, Jim and his brother John began to run the family business with their brother Tom. In 1985, he married Rita and they had two children, Cole and Emily. Jim was an avid sports fan who never missed a game, match, or meet that his children participated in and watched nearly every Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings game. He also enjoyed spending quality time with his two grandchildren Michelle and George.
He was preceded in death by his parents Earl and Peg Welhaven, in laws Harry and Phyllis Theiss, niece Margaret “Mimi” Roberts, great nephew Jake Roberts, great niece Makenzie Roberts, and nephew Ryan Lange. He is survived by his wife Rita, son Cole (Danielle) Welhaven, daughter Emily Welhaven, and grandchildren Michelle and George Welhaven. He is also survived by his siblings Mary (Patrick) Sullivan, John (Mary) Welhaven, and Tom (Vicki) Welhaven; sister-in -laws Charlotte (Craig) Hansen and Judy (Dan) Lange; and many nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff of Mayo Hospice for their amazing care over the past year and a half.
A Mass of Christian burial will take place at 10:30 am, Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at the Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist (11 4th Ave SW Rochester, MN). Visitation will take place on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home (1105 12th St. SE Rochester, MN) and one hour prior to the service at church on Wednesday.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Lourdes High School Music Endowment Fund.
Condolences
The family of James “Jim” E. Welhaven has received the following condolences.
To the family of Jim,
I am sorry to hear of Jim's passing. I always enjoyed visiting with him at the store and discussing guitars and music in general.Jim was a great guy and will be sadly missed by by all who knew him.
Jim and the Welhaven family gave the gift of music to musicians for over 7 decades at the Welhaven Music Store on North Broadway. May your fond memories of Jim bring a warm smile to your face in the day's ahead.
The Rogues Band (1964-1968) express our sincere sympathy to the Welhaven family.
Scott Mason-keyboards LHS 67, Dean Loftus-drums LHS 66, Greg Brown-bass guitar LHS 67, Dave Marsh guitar-JM 66, George Petersen guitar-JM 67, Terry Klampe guitar-Mayo 67 and Ross Florand guitar-JM 68.
Greg Brown
Rita, Cole, and Emily -
Deepest condolences. I am sending my heartfelt sympathies, healing prayers, and comfort during this incredibly challenging time. Though it has been 20 years since we were neighbors on Meadow Hills, I look back on that time with the fondest memories. Jim's memory will forever live on in the hearts of many.
-Cara Wubbenhorst
Welhaven family, so sorry for your loss. I truly miss our conversations with Jim and rest of family. He is missed
Love the Gedickes
Jim was the first person I met in Rochester.........at the store of course. After a few greetings Jim introduced me to Earl and he realized that he knew my parents in Duluth
because they came to the dances when Earl played with the Joe Priley big band. WOW! Small world. I was friends with Jim and he always could give me answers to where
I could find new music or any other thing I needed in my new Rochester adventure. Such a great friendship. Miss you my friend.
I have to extend my love for the entire Welhaven clan as they supported the entire musical community for a lifetime. God bless you ALL
Darryl Wick
So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I was a year ahead of Jim at Lourdes, but I remember him being very quiet but always a smile. I also would frequent the music store to buy reeds for my clarinet.
Rita, Cole and Emily -
I am so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed the visits with Jim when he would pick up Cole and Emily at Kids Come 1st. I would often see Jim when he picked up instruments at Zumbrota-Mazeppa that needed to be repaired.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Shelley (Born) Speltz
Rest in Peace, Jim. Thank you for your friendship, service to the music community, and endless caring.
My sincere sympathy to Rita, children and all Jim’s family. Jim had a long journey with his disease. May he be resting in peace.
Jim will always be remsmbered by me as the faithful supporter of my music program in Pine Island. I sing a song of sadness for my dear friend, Jim, his Brothers John and Tom and all fsmily in this time of loss. May he rest in piece.
Paul Miller
(507) 271-6498
I am very sorry for your loss Rita. We wish the best for you in the future
Tom, Deepest sympathy for the loss of your brother.