April 14, 1929 - April 20, 2021
James R. “Jim” Worden, 92, passed away on April 20, 2021. Jim was born April 14, 1929 in Regan, North Dakota to Harry and Elsie Worden. When Jim was nine years old, the family moved to Brainerd, Minnesota. There he attended both grade school and high school, graduating in 1947. In high school Jim excelled in football, baseball and basketball. Following high school, Jim attended Westmar College in Iowa, where he met his wife Anna Marie Bolay and continued playing collegiate sports. He transferred to Saint Cloud State University where he earned a B.S. degree in 1952. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Education there later in his teaching career. In 1952, Jim and Anna Marie moved to Sacred Heart, Minnesota where he served as a teacher, coach, and Athletic Administrator. In 1955, they moved to Sauk Rapids, Minnesota where Jim continued as a teacher, coach, and Athletic Administrator until 1984 when he retired from education. He worked as a sporting goods salesperson until 1989, and then served as the Transportation Supervisor for the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District until his retirement in 1994. At that time Jim and Anna Marie moved to Loveland, Colorado to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
Jim was a lay leader of the Evangelical United Brethren Church, and later was a member of the Methodist Church for many years. He was involved in numerous organizations in Minnesota athletics, serving as the Executive Secretary for the Minnesota State Athletic Directors Association, as well as Secretary for the Rum River Athletic Conference for several years. Jim was also regarded as a leader in the development of Minnesota girl’s athletics in the 1960’s. In 2014, he was inducted into the Sauk Rapids-Rice Athletic Hall of Fame, an honor he greatly cherished.
In addition to his dedication to education and athletics, Jim enjoyed a variety of outdoor activities including fishing and hunting. He often shared stories of his hunting and fishing experiences with fellow teachers and coaches. His ultimate dream was realized by living 5 years at a year-round home on Island Lake near Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, which he had built from the ground up, and where he could fish any day he wanted.
Jim is survived by his wife of 71 years, Anna Marie; son Greg (Katherine) Worden of Oro Valley, AZ, and daughter Gwen (Kerry) Krueger of Westminster, CO. He also was blessed with three grandchildren: Carl (Nichole) Worden of Tucson, AZ, Annie (Derrick) Cannon of Ypsilanti, MI, and Erin Krueger of Westminster, CO. Jim is also survived by his sister Pam Clayton of St. Paul, Minnesota, and sister-in-law Marileen (Don) Johnson of Carlsbad, CA.
Jim has been cremated according to his wishes, with a private family service celebrating his life planned for a future date.
