James J Werner

James Joseph Werner, 85, of New London, died Sunday, October 15th at GlenOaks Care Center in New London. His memorial service will be 11:00 am, Friday, November 10th at Faith Lutheran Church in Spicer, with visitation and fellowship to follow.  Arrangements are with West Central Cremation Service in Willmar, www.hafh.org.

We lost our friend and loved one James “Jim” Werner on October 15, 2023, at 10:00 PM central time. 

Jim was a magnificent man whose motto was to never give up.  Jim was born in Iowa on August 2, 1938, the 3rd child and second son the Larry and Lorene Werner.  Due to a medical mishap during delivery, Jim was born with Cerebral Palsy.  While debilitated physically, Jim’s mind was incredibly sharp.  The doctors wrote Jim off early in life and also during his developmental years, through maturity.  They said he would never walk, never be able to look after himself, let alone others.  But thanks to Jim’s amazing motivation and character he defied all of them.  His motto “Never Give Up” served him throughout his life and he even self-published a book titled “Never Give Up”.

Jim went on to walk, talk, work, graduate from high school, and after multiple tries, obtained his driver’s license.  Jim went on to work multiple jobs, farm, grow gardens, and become an amazing salesman, both for seed corn and for McNess products.  Jim was proud to not take government money and to pay his way throughout life.  He never wanted to have anyone feel sorry for him.

That said life was not easy, for Jim to do even simple things it took significant effort, just getting dressed each day would exhaust most of us, but Jim never complained and carried out all of his daily tasks with his beaming blues eyes looking at you and a smile on his face.  Jim also faced teasing, bullying, and discrimination throughout his childhood and adult life, but he never once complained, he just kept on his plan and he “Never Gave Up!”

Jim went on to marry Marilyn and have a beloved daughter Sheila.  He had beautiful home that he paid for with his hard-earned money and lived delightful life, endearing himself to everyone who had the honor to meet him

Every day when each of us faces a hard day or hard challenge we should remember that our hardest challenges are easier than Jim’s easiest challenge.  And repeat his motto to your self - “Never Give Up!”

Jim is preceded by his wife, Marilyn; parents: Lorene and Lawrence Werner; sister, Patricia Hardcopf; brothers: Lawrence and John Werner.

 He is survived by his daughter, Sheila Nepsund; sister, Rosemary Mills; and his brother, Tony Werner.

Jim - the world is a better place because of you - we love and miss you - you are irreplaceable. May God bless you and hold you holy.

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