TORRINGTON – On Saturday, July 13, James Alan Wodahl passed away at Community Hospital in Torrington. He was surrounded by family at the time of his passing.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 20 at 11:00 a.m. at Colyer’s Funeral Home with a lunch to follow.
James (Jim), known as Woody to his friends, was born in Crookston, Minnesota on June 8, 1945, and grew up in the Minnesota north woods. He graduated from Grand Rapids High School, and later attended and graduated from Bemidji State University, where he met his “Goodhearted Woman.” Jim and Judy (Drieman) were married on June 22, 1968. They spent the first years of their life together in Isanti Minnesota where they taught school, started a family, and made lots of good friends. In 1978, they relocated to Goshen County where they built a life, raised their family, and called it home for the last 40 years.
Jim enjoyed a long career as an educator, having taught elementary and special education at numerous schools in the region. He ultimately retired from teaching from Platte County School District #1 (Chugwater) in 2009. Outside of the classroom, Jim had many hobbies and interests. He was a skilled woodworker, a passionate fan of Minnesota sports teams, and loved to play the guitar and sing around a campfire. Jim enjoyed spending time outdoors, hunting and fishing, and instilled this passion in his kids. Most summers he and Judy could be found in their camper at the lake or in the mountains, often with their close friends Ron and Linda Halley nearby. Later in life, his greatest joy came from spending time with his grandchildren. Pappa Jim, as he was known to his grandchildren, was always recounting stories from his life, giving grandfatherly advice, or playing a round of cards.
Jim is survived by his wife of 56 years, Judy (Drieman), his children Scott (Mary Jean) of Buffalo Wyoming, Eric (Stephanie) of Laramie, and Kate (Mark) Weis of Torrington. He is also survived by his grandchildren Luke (Emily) and Marc (Emily) Wodahl, Holly Wodahl, and Morgan Weis, brothers Wes Wodahl and Brian (Donna) Wodahl, and sisters Diane (Bert) Heep and Linda Gross.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents James and Eunice Wodahl.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wyo Help for Goshen County in Jim’s name - https://wyohelp.networkforgood.com/projects/200717-neighbors-helping-neighbors.
