James Szarke Obituary
We bid farewell to James Szarke in Buffalo, Minnesota, born in Mankato, Minnesota, whose journey of life gracefully concluded on July 30, 2025 at the age of 85. James touched countless lives with warmth and kindness, leaving behind cherished memories that will forever echo in hearts. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family.
He was predeceased by: his parents, Joseph Leo Szarke and Elizabeth Mary Ann Szarke (Thier); his former wife Patricia Szarke; his daughter Deborah Szarke Mueller; his brothers, Joseph Szarke, Steven Szarke and Roger Szarke; his grandson Patrick Slaughter; and his nephews, Michael Skoglund and Joseph Kuehn.
He is survived by: his daughter Maria Patrice (Wayne); his wife Dianne Rohde-Szarke (Altstadt) of Perham, MN; his siblings, Betty Skoglund (Donald) of Maple Grove, MN and John Szarke of Duluth, MN; his brothers-in-law, George Altstadt (Ardith) of Perham, MN and Roger Altstadt (Sue) of Perham, MN; his son Christopher Szarke; his son-in-law David Mueller (Gina) of Dayton, MN; his children, Katrina Grotjahn (Lonnie) of Rochester, MN, David Szarke of Alexandria, MN, Daniel Szarke (Dawn) of Colorado Springs, CO and Jonathan Szarke (Leah) of Greensboro, NC; his stepchildren, Robin Rohde Keller (Mike) of Dayton, MN and Myren "Mickey" Rohde, Jr. (Susan) of Perham, MN; his grandchildren, Lianna Mueller of Dallas, TX, Michael Mueller of Seattle, WA, Joseph Mueller of Anoka, MN, Maria Mueller (Jake) of Lake Wylie, SC, Alex Mueller (Bethany) of Buffalo, MN, Daniel Mueller of Dayton, MN, Sarah Terry of Rochester, MN, Isabelle Terry, Benjamin Terry, Alex Szarke (Kayla) of New London, WI, Logan Slaughter of Weyauwaga, WI, Deborah Stalboerger (Jordan) of Winona, MN, Jordyn Anderson of Neilsville, WI, David Grotjahn of Rochester, MN, Annelie Szarke, Mathieu Szarke, Katherine Szarke of Colorado Springs, CO, Lawson Szarke, Jayson Szarke, Brielle Waiganjo of Greensboro, NC, Samuel Keller of Steamboat Springs, CO, Theodore Keller of Pleasant Hill, IA, Owen McShane of Moorhead, MN, Leah McShane of Dayton, MN, Ethan Rohde of Fergus Falls, MN, Jaxson Rohde, Aspen Rohde and Boden Rohde of Perham, MN; and his great grandchildren, Elzen Mueller, Autumn Frenning, Korbin Frenning, Klara Frenning, Kassius Frenning, Keanu Frenning, Benedict Mueller, Azaelia Szarke, Azariah Szarke, Willow Szarke, Koa Szarke, Kylie Stalboeger, Noah Mitte and RaeLynn Mitte. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 3rd 2025 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM and on Monday, August 4th 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. A rosary will be held on Sunday, August 3rd 2025 from 5:00 PM to 5:15 PM at the Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service (100 Jake St, Perham, MN 56573). A prayer will be held on Sunday, August 3rd 2025 from 5:15 PM to 6:00 PM at the same location. A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, August 4th 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the St. Henry's Catholic Church (234 2nd Ave SW, Perham, MN 56573).
He peacefully died of complications from dementia and Parkinson's Disease on July 30, 2025 at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls, MN surrounded by his family.
