On October 12, my mom informed me that my uncle Jamie was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer. She said that even with him being in such an advanced stage, he was still going to fight it. They promptly began chemotherapy, unfortunately though, his body was too weak and they had to stop the chemo halfway through. On Thursday, October 26, his oldest daughter (my cousin) Danika gave birth to their first grandchild. Jamie was taken to the hospital and was able to see his new granddaughter. Jamie was taken back home on Saturday, October 28 because he felt he would be more comfortable at home. Just the following night after he returned home, he lost his fight with cancer and passed away Sunday evening, October 29. As quickly as he lost the fight, he never gave up. In spite of all the odds, he kept fighting and wanted to beat it. Unfortunately for all of us though, God had a different plan. I will be honest, I wasn’t extremely close to Jamie; I only had seen him and been around him a handful of times. But I remember each and every one of those moments, because that’s the kind of impact he had on everyone. Jamie always had a big smile, and an even bigger heart. He loved to laugh and lived to make anyone and everyone else laugh. He was a caring, loving and wonderful father which his three children absolutely adored. He also had a wonderfully loving relationship with his wife, my aunt, Sheila. He touched so many lives and he was loved by many, and it showed. At his memorial, people from all over arrived to pay their respects to the family. The memorial was to go from 4:00PM – 8:00PM, but it ended up lasting another hour. There was a steady stream of people for 5 hours. At times there was over an hour-long wait just to visit with the family. I was absolutely blown away with how many people were touched so profoundly by Jamie, that they took the time to come pay their respects. The funeral was no different. It was held in a rather large church, and it was packed. The local school even provided a bus for those students wanting to attend the funeral, and that bus was packed as well. As difficult and sad a time it was when we were back there, it was also very uplifting to see just how big of a positive impact one person can have on others’ lives. A great man was taken from this world entirely too soon, and I pray for his family to get through such a difficult time together. The obituary for Jamie is below.

Stephan “Jamie” Jamieson, age 61 died Sunday, October 29, 2006 at his Pemberton home. Memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 2, 2006 at Hosanna Lutheran Church with Rev. Steve Kosberg officiating. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at Mankato Mortuary and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Stephan Jon Jamieson was born July 24, 1945 in St. James to Harold Jon and LaVern Mae (Jensen) Jamieson. He was a 1963 graduate of St. James High School and graduated from Mankato Vocational School. From 1963 to 1970, he served in the US Air Force and was trained at Lackland AFB in TX, and was stationed at Minot AFB in ND and Hickam AFB in HI. On December 27, 1980, he married Sheila M. Tierney in San Diego, CA. Jamie worked for Goldfines and Stadium Pizza in Mankato prior to his sales manager employment with AAMCO Transmissions in San Diego, CA. Returning to Minnesota, Jamie owned and operated “Jamie’s Pemberton Pub” from August 1, 1983 until his death. Jamie enjoyed golf, pool, casino trips, traveling, and spending time with his family. Survivors include his wife, Sheila Jamieson of Pemberton; three children, Danika Jamieson and Daniel Wilmes of Mankato, Megan Jamieson of Mankato, and Jon Jamieson of Pemberton; granddaughter, Kadence Jamie Wilmes; four sisters, Roberta (Jerry) Nelson of St. James, Michelle (Jamie) Walt of Colorado Springs, CO, Linda Terrell of North Mankato, Joni (Jim) Spenger of Mankato; brother, Mike Jamieson of Minneapolis; four sisters-in-law, Maretta (Craig) Clauson and Pat (Mike) Crean all of San Diego, CA, Colleen (Dan) Barta of Grand Forks, ND, Kelly (Steve) Mondloch of Grapevine, TX; brother-in-law and best friend ever, Dan (Pat) Tierney of Brooklyn Park, mother-in-law, Margie Tierney of San Diego, CA; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, including the Laughlin Golf Group. Jamie was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law, James Tierney, and two brothers-in-law, Larry Terrell and Jim Tierney, Jr.

Thanks for all the memories, Jamie. You’ll be missed greatly.