James "Jim" Biers

James A. Biers, 1935-2020, was called home quietly, early Monday, December 7, 2020 after a short battle with cancer. As he said the Saturday prior, “The fight is over.” James, known as Jim by close friends and family, met each day with a smile. He adored his wife, Donna, and they enjoyed 55 years of marriage.

Jim liked to say that he was “Mr Nice guy” and always had a joke or a laugh to share. He and his three brothers started the “horsen’ around” at the family farm outside of Plainview, Minnesota. On the farm they milked dairy cows, raised animals, and harvested the acres of land with their parents, Dale and Mable (Peterson) Biers. Jim was left on the farm at age 15 with his oldest brother, Bill, to help as the next generation took over. Farming, however, wasn’t his dream.

As a young man he competed with the Golden Gloves boxing program in the lightweight division taking on opponents across the state. He won many matches and brought home several champion trophies. As an adult he shared his love and discipline of boxing with his own sons and began coaching boys through the Boys Club of America in northern Minnesota. He loved teaching the discipline of this sport. Later even his grandchildren learned the boxing basics as he sparred with them in their training, resulting in bouts of laughter on most occasions!

Jim worked in many positions over the years and often held two jobs to support his family. For 30 years he sold insurance while most of the time, holding down another job. He was most proud of his role as a Greyhound bus driver where he served for over 15 years. Upon retirement, he drove for the local Montgomery school district. At age 79, he finally officially retired from all of his jobs to help care for his wife who was having health issues at that time.

What Jim really loved to do, however, was tell a story, draw a cartoon, chop wood, dress up for holidays, and plant a garden, especially if he could do this with his wife, children or grandchildren. His sketches and Popeye “tattoos” were infamous! The gardens took over his lawn and he was forever planting, moving flowers, and harvesting.

Jim leaves a loving family across the states, including: Wife, Donna Biers; Sons, Ronald Biers, Mark (Gloria) Biers and Kris (Michele) Biers; Daughters, Mindy (Jim) Reeder, Kari (Jason) Taylor and Grandchildren: Michael (Teagen) Held; Jakob, Katrina and Kaylee Reeder; Joseph, Lita and Hunter Biers and Jamison, Jonas and Adalia Taylor.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Dale and Mable Biers and brothers, Charles (Patricia) Biers and Otis Biers.

The family is having a closed service due to Covid for immediate family only at Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault, Minnesota, on Friday, December 11 at 10:30 a.m. For those unable to attend, you may watch the service through a link on Jim’s obituary page. Relatives and friends are welcome at the Little Valley cemetery, outside of Plainview, Minnesota at 1 p.m. Please wear masks and socially distance. Cards or plants may be sent to the funeral home or mailed to: Donna Biers ℅ Mindy Reeder 15578 State Highway 99-Montgomery, MN  56069.

Funeral arrangements are being completed by the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault.