Charles "Jim" Yackel, age 84 of Glenwood, died Sunday, September 11, 2016 at home.  A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, September 16 ^th at Glenwood Lutheran Church in Glenwood with Rev. Krista Lee officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00-7:00 pm at the funeral home in Glenwood and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be in the Glenwood Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood.

Charles "Jim" James Yackel, the son of Clarence and Marie (Carlson) Yackel, was born January 23, 1932 in Barrett, Minnesota. He grew up in nearby Elbow Lake, where he attended school and graduated from Elbow Lake High School with the Class of 1949.  After graduation, Jim started working for the Soo Line Railroad.  Jim worked for the railroad until he was inducted into the United States Army on August 14, 1952. While serving his country, Jim was stationed in Germany. He was honorably discharged on July 30, 1954. On October 27, 1956, Jim was united in marriage to Marilyn Abel at Zion Lutheran Church in Hoffman. They made their home in Elbow Lake and Hoffman before settling in Glenwood.

Upon completing his military service, Jim returned home and resumed working for the Soo Line Railroad. After 23 years with the railroad, his job was relocated to the Twin Cities. Not wanting to move his family away from Glenwood, Jim took a job with Star Motors in Starbuck, where he worked for the next 18 years until his retirement.

Jim was a member of Glenwood Lutheran Church where he served as a deacon for six years and was a member of the Glenwood VFW. He enjoyed golfing, racing, hunting ducks and pheasants, working on cars and carpentry. Jim especially loved to spend time visiting with his family and friends. He was friendly and outgoing and will be remembered for his ability to strike up a conversation with anyone. Jim passed away Sunday, September 11, 2016 at his home in Glenwood at the age of 84 years.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Yackel; son, Corey (Deb) Yackel; daughter, Karin Yackel, all of Glenwood; 4 grandchildren, Brandon Yackel, Faline Yackel, Collin (Adri Ortiz) Yackel, and Riley Berkey; great-grandchildren, Maya and Thea Yackel and Blake Schumacher; step-sisters, Marlene Ramey and Marcella Gulsvig; nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

Jim is preceded in death by his father and step-mother, Clarence and Eleanor Yackel; mother and step-father, Marie and Ray Summers; and an infant grandson, Anthony Berkey.