James Lee Bowland

About James

James Lee Bowland was born on May 30th, 1952, in

Chicago, IL to Larry & Ruth (Riedel) Bowland.

Shortly after he was born, the family moved to Parkers

Prairie, MN. He attended and was confirmed at

Immanuel Lutheran Church. During his senior year,

Jim was the team Captain for the Football and

Basketball Teams and earned Athlete of the Year at

Parkers Prairie High School, where he graduated in

1970.

After High School, Jim founded a Motorcycle Club,

which he named “Alliance” with some close friends

and family. His passion for motorcycles led him to

purchase a Harley-Davidson shop in Wadena, MN. He

later moved the shop to Alexandria, MN.

On May 10 th, 1975, Jim married his High School

sweetheart, Julie Johnson and together they had two

children, Jesse James born in 1978 and Ashley Ann

born in 1983. Jim & Julie owned a small farm in Rose

City, MN where they raised horses and pigs and

eventually served as the site of Jim’s Harley-Davidson

shop.

In 1982, Jim moved his family to the Northeast

neighborhood of Minneapolis, MN to work as a Union

Carpenter. This became his primary occupation for

most of his adult life. Notably, Jim was involved in the

construction of the Mall of America, Target Center, the

Federal Reserve Bank, along with many other iconic

structures in the Twin Cities area. He loved to tell

stories about, and took great pride in, his part in the

building of these prominent landmarks.

While in Minneapolis, Jim decided to close the Harley-

Davidson Shop and pursue other business

opportunities, which ultimately led him to

auctioneering. Bowland Auctioneering was a family

run business. This was a job he loved and where he

earned the title Colonial, a moniker he carried with

pride for the rest of his life.

Briefly yet notably, he worked for Town & Country

Dodge in Hopkins, MN selling new & used vehicles.

He appeared in multiple tv commercials and was the

salesman to many Minnesota Vikings players.

Jim loved being around people and could talk to

anyone. After striking up a conversation with a

stranger, his kids would always ask, “Did you know

that guy?” Jim would then say, “No, but he might have

an auction one day.” Jim was the embodiment of the

phrase, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”

Jim would regularly donate his time to help people and frequently made &

served meals to those in need. In 2018, Jim traveled to Haiti,

where he volunteered with “Healing Haiti,” an organization that does mission

work. He would say that this experience brought him

closer to God.

Jim was a lifelong fan of the Minnesota Vikings,

having been a season ticket holder for over 20 years

(He never did get to experience a Super Bowl win).

He was incredibly proud of his children and

grandchildren and was always quick to boast about his

parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews.

Jim died on Saturday, December 31st, 2022, at the St.

Cloud Hospital surrounded by family. He is

proceeded in death by his parents Larry & Ruth

Bowland.

He is survived by his son Jesse (Benjamin Du)

Bowland, his daughter Ashley (Matt) Beukelman and

grandchildren Benjamin, Jackson and William, his

brothers Bud, John (Sue) and Tim Bowland, sisters

Joyce “Tiger” (Greg) Iverson and Judy Bowland

along with several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held 11:00am, Monday,

January 16, 2023, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in

Parkers Prairie, MN. with Rev. Kirk Lee officiating.

memorial service

Memorial Service

January 16, 2023

Immanuel Lutheran Church 709 S Douglas Ave, Parkers Prairie, MN 56361, USA

Visitation from 10:00 A.M - 11:00 A.M.

Service at 11:00 A.M.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services