James Malecha

James J. Malecha Sr., age 80, of Faribault, passed away on Friday, July 27, 2012 at the District One Hospital in Faribault.             Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive in Faribault with the Rev. Kevin Finnegan, officiating. Interment will be held at the Calvary Cemetery in Faribault with military honors provided by the Rice County Central Veterans Organization.             Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault on Monday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and at the church on Tuesday for one hour prior to services.             In lieu of flowers the family prefers that memorials be directed to Divine Mercy Catholic School or to the Steve Malecha Scholarship Fund at Bethlehem Academy High School in memory of Jim.             James Joseph, the son of Joseph and Marie (Kohout) Malecha, was born on September 22, 1931 at the family farm in Webster Township, Rice County. He was a graduate of Northfield High School. After high school Jim served in the U.S. Army. On February 12, 1955 he was united in marriage to Phyllis Rost at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Faribault. After their marriage they lived in Germany for a year while Jim was in the Army and then returned to Minnesota and made Faribault their home. Jim worked for 30 years as U.S. Postal Carrier. Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, helping his friend John Zoubek on his farm and spending time with all of his family. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 889 in Faribault, the Postal Carrier's Union and was a long time usher at Divine Mercy Catholic Church.             He is survived by his wife Phyllis Malecha of Faribault; by three children, James Malecha Jr. (Corinne) of Lino Lakes, MN, Sue Nasby (Mike) of Northfield, MN and Shelley Friesen (Gerald) of Faribault; by 10 grandchildren, Dan and Lauren Malecha, Willy Malecha and special friend Missy Reynolds, Jeremiah (Marissa) Malecha, Megan and Alexandra Malecha, Michael Nasby, Jaclynn, Gerald and Matthew Friesen; 2 great grandchildren, Courtney Malecha and Kalleigh Malecha; by two daughters-in-law, Cindy Malecha of Faribault and Julie Malecha of Fredericksburg, VA; by three brothers, Charles (Leah) Malecha of Pittsville, WI, Harold (BJ) Malecha of Oregon and Don Malecha of Mankato, MN and by nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.             He was preceded in death by his parents, by his daughter in infancy, Melanie Malecha and by three sons, Steve Malecha (2001), Jeffrey Malecha (2010) and Scott Malecha (2010), two sisters, Agnes Kalina and Janice Malecha and by his brother, Glen Malecha.