James "Jim" Kilen, age 75 of Mitchell, SD died Thursday, June 1, 2017 at Sanford Select Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Memorial services will be 2:00 PM Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at the Will Funeral Chapel with visitation one hour prior to the service. A second memorial service will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lakefield, MN with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at the West Belmont Cemetery in Lakefield, MN.

James "Jim" Kilen, son of Agil and Helga (Nesterud) Kilen, was born August 11, 1941 in Windom, MN. He grew up on the family farm in rural Lakefield, MN, now known as Kilen Woods State Park. He attended school in Lakefield and graduated from Lakefield High School. He was briefly married to Nancy Anderson.

Jim helped on the family farm and the family owned gravel pit near Lakefield, MN. He was a heavy equipment operator, welder and food plant engineer working throughout the United States. He was self-taught for many of the skills he used.

He was united in marriage with Donna Hoffmeyer in the early 1960's. The couple made their home in Esterville, IA. He later spent 10 years in Salem, SD with Doris Hoffman. Jim moved to Mitchell in 1986 and was employed at Dakota Pork, retiring in the mid 2000's. He enjoyed fishing, flying his gyro-copter, and the family dog named "Snooks".

Grateful for having shared his life are his partner, Mamie Reitz, Mitchell, SD; four children, Rick Kilen and his special friend Connie Moore, Princeton, MO, Jimmy Kilen and his special friend Leann Kieth, Gowrie, IA, Jill Kilen, Estherville, IA, Eric Kilen, Clarks Grove, MN; three step children, Chad, Julie and Candi; six grandchildren, Derrick, Ciera, Dustin, Jessica, Joshuah and Hollie; three great grandchildren; six step grandchildren; four step great grandchildren; a brother, John (Perky) Kilen, Cleveland, TN; four sisters, Sheila Ziegler, Lakefield, MN, Helen Gunst, Lakefield, MN, Cindy (Hennan) Rost, Lakefield, MN, Mary (Mike) Grandon, Clear Lake, IA; numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son, Wade; a daughter in infancy, Velvet; his parents; and three sisters, Kristine, Barb and Susan.