James E. Taskinen

James E. Taskinen, 79, Greenleaf, died Sunday, August 4, 2019 at his home. A funeral service will be 11 a.m., Friday, August 9, 2019 at Ward Funeral Home, Washington. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Jim was born on July 28, 1940 to Arne and Lydia (Kivela) Taskinen at Virginia, Minn.  He graduated Virginia High School in 1958 and joined the U.S. Air Force in 1959.  He was stationed in Topeka and met Eldyne there.  After dating for three months, they married on September 21, 1963 and moved to Minnesota. While in Minnesota, Jim worked for Control Data Corporation.  In October of 1974, they moved to Greenleaf and he worked for Farmers Co-op, sixteen years.  Jim worked for USD 364 in Marysville in maintenance for several years.  But he was best known for his home business of small engine repair.  Jim was very talented in repairing motors, lawn mowers, chain saws, etc.  There wasn’t much he couldn’t fix. While growing up in Minnesota, he enjoyed fishing, boating and he built his own boat.  He was a member of the America Legion. Preceding him in death were his parents; stepmother, Hildred Taskinen; and his brother. Survivors include his wife, Eldyne; children, Cheryl Taskinen, Wichita, Erick (Chelsea) Taskinen, Dale (Monica) Taskinen, both of Salina, Carrie Taskinen, Marysville; step-brother, John Kokkonen, Evart, Mich; step-sister, Helene Bement, The Villages, Fla; and four grandchildren, Eldon, Jake, Kirah and Lake. A memorial fund is established and will be designated later.  Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home, Washington. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James E. Taskinen, please visit our flower store.