James Blaedorn, 70, of Redfield, SD, died Friday, February 15, 2013 at Hospice of Arizona in Mesa, AZ. His funeral will be Friday, February 22, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at First Congregational UCC Church in Redfield. Reverend Tim Fugman will officiate. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery in Redfield. Visitation will be Thursday from 3-7:00 p.m. with the family present from 5-6:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

James Lindon Blaedorn was born June 13, 1942 in Redfield to William and Louise (Carlson) Blaedorn. He was one of eleven children. He grew up in Redfield and graduated from Redfield High School in 1961. He started working for Irwin Oil Company, at the age of eight years old, sorting pop bottles and later worked for many gas stations in Redfield. Jim worked in law enforcement throughout his life, including Redfield Police Department, Spink County Sheriff's Department and security for the trustee unit at SDDC-Redfield. He often worked second jobs including, painting, driving school bus, security and cutting meat. Jim married Barbara Harford on June 22, 1961 in Redfield, they were married for fifty-one years.

Many people in the community knew Jim as a handyman. He enjoyed woodworking, remodeling projects, camping and going south for the winter. His pride and joy were his grandchildren.

Blessed to have shared his life are his wife Barb and their children: Janet Miller of Aberdeen, SD and her children: Emily and Matt; Deanna (Galen) Koester of Redfield and their children: Leslie (Curtis) Ford, Travis, Kailee and Molly; and Chuck (Sue) Blaedorn of Zimmerman, MN and their children Katie, Jacob and Gracie. He is also survived by his siblings: William (Betty) Blaedorn of Tempe, AZ; Virginia (Dale) Marlow of Redfield; Pat Aldrich of Kingman, AZ; Bonnie Herren of Redfield; Marquita (Alfred) Carlson of Wheaton, MN; David Blaedorn of Aberdeen; Rich (Julie) Blaedorn of Aberdeen; and Bob (Nancy) Blaedorn of St. Lawrence, SD.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant daughter Katheryn, infant son Michael, brother Gary Blaedorn, sister Betty Helm and son-in-law Roy Miller.