Jim Packard

Levi James Packard (Jim), age 92 went home to be with his Lord and Savior October 5, 2016 at the St. Cloud Veterans Medical Center. Funeral services will be Tuesday, October 11, 2016 - 11:00 AM at the Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home in Milaca, MN. Visitation is Monday, October 10 from 4:00-8:00 PM and one hour prior to service. Internment with military honors will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery in Milaca. Levi James Packard was born October 15, 1923 in Page Township in Milaca to Robert H. and Evva (Miller) Packard. He attended Tibbetts Brook School and graduated from Milaca High School in 1942. After graduation, Jim worked as a machinist. He entered the United States Army in 1944. He served in World War II as an infantryman in the Philippines and received an Infantry Combat Medal for his time in Leyte and Mindanao. He served in the Occupation in Korea. He was proud to serve his country. He married Fern Helmen June 20, 1947. They were married for 48 years. They farmed in Page Township and raised eight children. Jim worked as a correctional officer at Stillwater Prison and later St. Cloud Reformatory until retirement. Jim loved dancing, telling jokes and stories, and visiting friends and family. He was a man of integrity. His friends and family found him to be thoughtful, generous, and proud of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. After the death of Fern, he met and married Lucille Schulze from Buffalo and were married for 19 years. Jim is survived by his wife, Lucille and eight children, Marlene (Philip) Eggen; James (Anne); Nancy (Dan) Scofield; Thomas (Lynda); Diane (Danie) Billmark; Brian (Barb); Lori (Mike) Murrer; and Julie (Tom) Peterson and stepchildren, Dianna Korpela, and Bruce (Ann) Schulze. He is also survived by 19 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and brother, Jack Packard. Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Fern; parents; eight brothers; one sister; and grandson, Bryce Levi Eggen and granddaughter, Hannah Ruth Peterson.