STACYVILLE — James Vern “Jim” Cowell, 63, of Stacyville, died September 2, 2026, following a bicycle accident near Preston, Minnesota.
Visitation will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, September 12, at Hoff Celebrations’ Champion Chapel, 702 State Street in Osage. A celebration of life will follow from 3 to 4 p.m. at Osage VFW Post 7920, 3693 U.S. Highway 218. Those attending are encouraged to dress casually and bring stories to share. Burial will take place at a later date.
Born May 28, 1963, to Derald and Corine Dahl Cowell, Jim was the fifth of their children. He grew up around St. Ansgar and Otranto, developing a lifelong appreciation for the small rural community he proudly called home.
His childhood was filled with fishing along the Cedar River and riding bicycles, motorcycles and snowmobiles. Jim graduated from St. Ansgar High School in 1981 and later completed the ag-diesel mechanic program at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City.
Jim met Laura Rasmusson at the Down Under Bar in Clear Lake in June 1982. He quickly knew he had found the love of his life and proposed after about a month of dating. They married on Jim’s birthday, May 28, 1983, beginning a marriage that lasted 43 years.
The couple initially lived in Hampton, where Jim worked with Bore Power Hog Farms, before moving to Austin, Minnesota. Their three sons—Ian, Jared and Jamie—were born while the family lived in Austin.
In 1994, Jim and Laura built their dream home in Stacyville, giving their sons the opportunity to grow up in a small community. Jim joined the Stacyville Fire Department, where he earned the nickname “Lightning.”
Jim began working for Hormel Foods in January 1986. During a career spanning more than three decades, he became known for his mechanical knowledge and problem-solving abilities. He worked as a mechanic on the SPAM production line before advancing to mechanical engineering supervisor, a role that took him to other Hormel facilities.
He retired in 2019 but returned the following year to help move SPAM production lines to the Dubuque plant. He officially retired in December 2023 after making many lasting friendships through his work.
Retirement allowed Jim and Laura to become “roadies.” Their travels included a winter journey along Route 66 to Texas, where Jim visited historical gangster museums, saw the ocean for the first time and explored South Padre Island. The couple also traveled to Las Vegas with family.
Jim treasured annual summer fishing trips to Canada and fall excursions to Lake of the Woods. He enjoyed hunting at Josh and Julie’s farm and proudly referred to himself as a “CowBoy.”
His many interests included hunting, fishing, four-wheeling, snowmobiling, camping, bicycling, boating and golfing. He also enjoyed the Jones County Fair, Minnesota Twins baseball, Iowa Hawkeye football, college basketball and NASCAR racing.
Some of Jim’s favorite memories came from camping trips along the Cedar River, demolition derbies, firefighter water-ball competitions and time spent with his sons. He was immensely proud of the men and fathers they became and delighted in spoiling his grandchildren.
Jim is survived by his wife, Laura; sons Ian and Heather Cowell, Jared and Brittney Cowell, and Jamie and Kaitlin Cowell; grandchildren Emilia, Alana, Ben, Conner, Drew, Zoey, Jace, Eleanor, Wren, Adalyn and Harrison; siblings Dean and Sue Cowell, Karen Bolding, Avis and Phil Haberkamp, and Janet and Jerry Billick; brother-in-law Mike Rasmusson; mother-in-law Linda Rasmusson; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Derald and Corine Cowell; father-in-law Mearle Rasmusson; brother-in-law Roy Bolding; and close friend Wayne Adams.
The family expressed its gratitude to emergency medical personnel and sheriff’s offices in Fillmore and Mitchell counties, as well as the friends who supported the family in Preston following the accident.
Complete service information and an online guestbook are available through Hoff Celebrations.
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