James "Jim" Herbert Zaske was born on April 29, 1943, in Glencoe, Minnesota. He was the son of Herbert and Cordelia (Mackenthun) Zaske. James was baptized as an infant on May 16, 1943, by Pastor G. Schmidt and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth on May 1, 1957, by Pastor R. W. Koepp both at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brownton, Minnesota. He received his education in Brownton at Immanuel Lutheran Parochial School and Brownton High School graduating with the Class of 1961. Jim furthered his education by attending Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Jim graduated in 1965. Jim went on to get his Master of Science from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

On June 27, 1965, Jim was united in marriage to Sharon Raiber by Pastor R. W. Koepp at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brownton, Minnesota. Jim and Sharon made their home in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, until 1970 when they moved to Glencoe, Minnesota. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Jodi, David and Michael. Jim and Sharon shared over 47 years of marriage.

Jim taught at Manitowoc Public Schools and Glencoe Silver Lake Public Schools as a science teacher. He also coached football and wrestling. Jim helped develop the Glencoe Silver Lake outdoor classroom, was a member and negotiator for the education association, and had the honor of receiving the 1989 Excellence in Education Award from the Minnesota Chamber Foundation. Jim retired in 2002. He was a faithful member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Glencoe, where Jim served as the church president and sang in the church choir. Jim also sang with the Manitowoc Barbershop Chorus. He served as the secretary for the town home association.

Jim touched and affected many different people's lives. He was selfless, inspirational, methodical, the "Master" of his chosen area. Jim loved gardening, traveling with relatives and friends, and going to their cabin. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed snowmobiling, boating, fishing, and hunting. Jim also enjoyed decorating for Christmas. He cherished the time spent with his family and friends.

James passed away on Thursday, January 24, 2013, at Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota, at the age of 69 years, 7 months and 26 days.

Blessed be his memory.

James is survived by his wife, Sharon Zaske of Glencoe, Minn.; Children, Jodi Guckenberg and her husband, Michael, of Delano, Minn., David Zaske and his wife, Michelle, of Rice, Minn., Michael Zaske and his wife, Gina, of Glencoe, Minn.; Grandchildren, Mikayla Zaske, Kiah Zaske, Payton Zaske, Tate Zaske; Brothers, Robert Zaske ‘67 and his wife, Jeanne (Engler) Zaske ‘67, of Lino Lakes, Minn., Richard Zaske ’72 and his wife, Diane (Detlefsen) Zaske ‘72, of Hackensack, Minn., Randall Zaske and his wife, Mary, of Rockford, Ill., Jerald Zaske and his wife, Barbara, of Brownton, Minn.; Nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

James is preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Cordelia Zaske.

Memorials may be given to The James Zaske Scholarship Fund (created in his honor), or Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Glencoe, Minnesota.