James "Jim" Edward Qualey

James Edward Qualey (Jim) was born on May 13, 1928 in Menahga, MN. He was the eldest son of Edward Oliver Qualey and Pearle Marguerite (Holland) Qualey. He spent his childhood in Menahga where his father owned and edited the “Menahga Messenger” newspaper. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout at the age of 16, something that he was very proud of. Following graduation from Menahga High School in 1946, he attended the University of Minnesota and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Pharmacy in 1951. In April of 1952, Jim was married to Patricia Anne Dissmore in Minneapolis, MN. Two children were born to this union, Bradley in 1955 and LuAnn in 1958. The Qualeys made their home in Minneapolis where James worked at Stadium Drug in Dinkytown and then in 1958 he purchased his first drugstore located at the corner of 50th and France in Edina, MN. In 1964 the family moved to Stillwater, MN and Jim became co-owner of St. Croix Rexall Drug. He sold the drugstore and retired in 2007 at age 79. Jim was active in his church and a number of professional and community organizations. He believed strongly in the importance of service to others. He was a member of the state Pharmacy Association, past member of the Downtown Stillwater Merchants Association, past President of the St. Croix Valley Area Chamber of Commerce, member and past President of the Stillwater Lion’s Club, member and past President of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, member of the Minnesota Masonic Lodge (Sunlight, Minneapolis) and one of the founders of the Syttende Mai Society in the St. Croix Valley (Jim was 100% Norwegian). He was a volunteer for many years at the Ronald McDonald House in Minneapolis, MN, and traveled on several mission trips to the countries of Mexico and Ecuador. Jim passed away peacefully on January 12, 2015. He was 86 years old. He had been ill since falling and fracturing his hip in the fall of 2013. This past year, although so difficult, has been a time of discovering God’s grace, and a tremendous time of fellowship and encouragement from family and friends. Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia, who died in 2009, and by his brother, Robert. He is survived by his son, Brad Qualey (Caroline) and Grandsons Michael, Steven and Peter Qualey of Brainerd, MN, and his daughter, LuAnn Qualey Hunt (Randy), of Stillwater, MN. Also mourning his death are two sisters, Helen Smiley of Blaine, MN and Sandra Lund of Menahga, MN, his dear godchildren, numerous distant relatives and many wonderful friends. Funeral service 11 AM Friday, January 16, 2015 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church 1616 W. Olive St, Stillwater, MN 55082. Visitation Thursday, January 15 from 4-7 PM at Simonet Funeral Home, 6429 Osgood Avenue N. Stillwater, MN and one hour prior to the service at church. Burial at Fairview Cemetery. Memorials preferred to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church building fund or the Valley Chamber Chorale.

Service Information

Cemetery

Fairview Cemetery
6373 Osgood Avenue North
Stillwater MN 55082

Visitation

Thursday, January 15 2015
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Simonet Funeral Home
6429 Osgood Ave.N.
Stillwater MN 55082

Visitation

Friday, January 16 2015
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Our Savior's Lutheran Church
1616 West Olive Street
Stillwater MN 55082

Service

Friday, January 16 2015
11:00 AM

Our Savior's Lutheran Church
1616 West Olive Street
Stillwater MN 55082