James Richard Kroupa

James Richard Kroupa, 78

Fun loving. Generous. Positive. Kind. Jim was all these things, and more. 

Sadly, we lost Jim and his contagious spirit Aug. 28, 2024. He passed peacefully after battling melanoma,

with his wife Susan at his side, soon after their 28 th  wedding anniversary. 

Jim was born in Minneapolis, and from early on, he loved cabins. He enjoyed fishing, boating, hiking in

the woods, and reading tons of comics at the Sand Lake cabin the family shared. Jim and his father were

in their element. The family also traveled and spent hot summers visiting cousins in Texas, where picking

the perfect watermelon was an occupation, as was getting ice cream at the Pilot Point square on

Saturdays.

Jim attended Minnetonka high school. After graduating from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, Jim

became an enthusiastic and popular teacher at Eden Prairie schools, including 34 years at Central Middle

School. He was an advisor for students in extracurriculars, taught drivers’ ed, and inspired a number of

students to pursue careers teaching social studies and geography. His excellent storytelling is part of

what made him an inspiring teacher. 

Jim and his first wife, Cathryn, raised two daughters: Heather and Alexis. He was a hands-on parent, and

had a way of making daily life fun and festive. Jim played in a softball league and, therefore, so did his

kids. He imparted his love of nature to his children; they are also excellent at reading maps. 

Jim met Susan while they were teaching in Eden Prairie. They resided in Excelsior, and enjoyed travel,

neighbors, family, politics, their beloved dogs Digger and Bella, and the cabin. 

Jim was passionate about many things: reading, nature, fishing, hunting; helping friends, neighbors, and

relatives, and creating unique gifts. He was always available to help someone in need, putting others

first. Seeming always to have a project in the works, he designed dream catchers as gifts, helped build a

cabin with his relatives in New Hampshire, and made cabin signs for friends. 

A seasoned deer hunter, he enjoyed spending quiet hours in the woods observing nature and wildlife,

and the camaraderie of his hunting buddies, as much as the thrill of the hunt.

He loved his muskie fishing community, where he made countless friends, and held leadership and

volunteer roles within the Twin Cities chapter of Muskies, Inc. A member has since created an annual

“Kroupa cup” to honor him. 

While at his island cabin on Lake Vermilion, he ensured that if guests tired of fishing, they had myriad

other activities to entertain and enjoy themselves. He created an axe and spear throwing arena, and a

muskie shrine to which visitors made offerings in hopes of catching the big one. If you were lucky, and

landed a muskie, you were celebrated and ensconced on his custom-built muskie throne.

We will miss his positive attitude, his zest for life, and his storytelling. 

Preceded in death by parents Elizabeth Porter and Harry Kroupa. Survived by wife Susan Hoaglund, and

daughters Heather Kroupa (Phil) Minneapolis; Alexis (Luis), Las Vegas; sister Bette Rembert, Pittsburgh

and brother Tom (Kathy), Ely; cousins, nieces and nephews, many friends and former students. 

A private celebration of life will be held in the great outdoors he loved so much. Memorials preferred to

a charity of donors’ choice.

memorial service

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services