Robert James "Jim" Fierek, age 96, of Grand Rapids, MN passed away Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Peoria, AZ.

Jim was born in Duluth, MN on May 9, 1927, to Benjamin and Stella Fierek. He graduated from Morgan Park High School. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy.

Jim married Irene Evenvoll on September 10, 1955. Jim and Irene were married until Irene passed March 17, 2012. Together, they had one son and one daughter, who died in infancy.

Jim attended UMD where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, while he was employed in the loan department of the St. Louis County Federal Savings and Loan Association. He then went on to the University of Indiana, earning a degree from the School of Savings and Loan.

Jim worked at First Federal Savings and Loan as President. During the 1960-70s, Jim bought, fixed up, and sold many houses in Grand Rapids. He was a real estate broker at Key Realty. A developer of Grand Rapids, he developed several areas on the Golf Course Road.

Jim was an avid sportsman, hunter, fisherman, and skier. He was a member of the Sugar Hills Ski Patrol. He was also a member of the Duluth Breakfast Optimist Club, President of the Grand Rapids Rotary Club, the Duluth Elks Club, a member of the Eagles and American Legion. Jim enjoyed golf, woodworking, silver smithing, and entertaining friends and family at his cabin on Moose Point on Pokegama Lake. Jim and Irene were part owners of The Harbor Country Club from 1967-1972. In 1973, Jim bought a bar south of Grand Rapids and turned it into The Country House. He owned that bar until 1980.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Irene; infant daughter, Patricia Ann; Irene's son, Glen; parents, Benjamin and Stella; brothers, Donald William and Gerald Thomas; and sister, Lucille Allen.

Jim is survived by his son, James "Jim" (Marie) of Togo, MN; granddaughter, Miranda (Jon); two great grandsons, Sterling and Bryton of Duluth, MN; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be Friday, May 31 at 9:30am at Rowe Funeral Home, Grand Rapids, MN with a memorial service and military honors at 10:00 am. A celebration of Jim's life will continue at Sammy's Pizza and Restaurant, Grand Rapids, from 11:00am-2:00pm.