James "Jim" Priester

James (“Jim”) Herbert Priester was born on April 10, 1930, to Herbert and Frieda (Lettow) Priester in Airlie, MN. Jim was raised on the farm until moving to Pipestone. He attended elementary school and high school in Pipestone, graduating in 1948. He enlisted in the Army in 1948 and served until he was honorably discharged in 1952. He then enlisted in the National Guard unit in Pipestone and served for 20 years. On March 13, 1952, he married his love Betty VandenBosch. They resided in Pipestone and raised three children. Also in 1952, Jim started Priester Bus Service, along with numerous other jobs that he held. He loved to drive the kids to school, one saying that he would ask his kids what they learned today, and if they replied “nothing,” he would say, “then I will pick you up again tomorrow.” Jim and Betty started a new adventure by buying the local bowling alley in 1985 and continued to own it until 1999. Betty preceded Jim in death on September 7, 1999. Jim continued to live at home until he moved to Ridgeview Estates in 2018 and resided there until 2023. He then moved to Good Sam and lived there until February, 2026. On Thursday, February 19, 2026, he entered the Pipestone County Hospice House where he died later that day at the age of 95 years, 10 months, and 9 days.

Jim was a lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone. He served as a city alderman from 1979-1981, as a county commissioner from 1985-1988, and as a member of the Southwestern Minnesota Opportunity Council (“SMOC”) Board from 2003-2015. He was a member of the Hook & Ladder Company of the Pipestone Fire Department from 1952-1982. He was also a member of the Hiawatha Club from 1968-1993. He enjoyed bowling in the winter months and golfing in the summer months - achieving a hole-in-one on July 25, 1991. He loved all the kids that he drove over 64 years, and he always had a BIG smile for everyone. He will be remembered for always saying, “Be kind to people and people will be kind to you.” Jim lived his life with kindness. Jim’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren will remember dyeing Easter eggs with him annually. He will be remembered by many for his teasing ways.

Jim is survived by his son, Thomas Priester (fiancé Tricia) of Pipestone; daughter-in-law, Sara Priester of Pipestone; six grandchildren, Angela Floody, Jordan (Mandy) Priester, Joshua (Ashley) Caldwell, Chloe Lear, Amy Lombardi, and Jacob Bauman; nine great-grandchildren; two siblings, Marjorie Priester of Austin, Minnesota and Edward (Lynette) Priester of Burnsville, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; daughter and son-in-law, Terry and Doug Floody; son, Jerry; sisters, Caroline Buysse, Margaret Shields, Dorothy Buysse, Marian Lester, and Sharyn Mallo; and other family.