James M. Overby, 84, of Wanamingo, died Monday, December 19, 2011 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on September 12, 1927 on the family farm in Cherry Grove Township, Goodhue County, Minnesota, the son of Jens and Martha (Barsness) Overby. He was baptized and confirmed at Dale Lutheran Church rural Kenyon. He attended Cherry Grove Township Country School, Northfield High School and graduated from Wanamingo High School in 1947. He then continued to farm on the family farm his entire life. He married Patricia Quimby on September 24, 1949 at the Methodist Church in West Concord. They had two children, Dianne and Roger. Pat died in 1995. He then married LaVonne (Farnum) Childs at the United Methodist Church in Randolph and they resided on the family farm in Cherry Grove Township. Jim and LaVonne enjoyed spending their winters in Florida. He was a member of Dale Lutheran Church, where he taught Sunday school and served on the Church Council. He served on Wanamingo School Board, Wanamingo Lions Club, and Wanamingo Elevator Board. As a youth, Jim was active in 4-H and later became an adult leader and enjoyed coaching softball for many years for the Cherry Grove Busy Gophers. He loved working with children and was a good father figure not only to his own children but extended family and friends. He also loved playing croquet, bowling, and playing 500 with his grandchildren. He had an appreciation for trees, planting over 300 trees in his lifetime. He is survived by his wife, LaVonne Childs-Overby of Wanamingo; five children, Dianne (and Chuck) Roeper of Ann Arbor, MI, Roger (and Lisa) Overby of Kenyon, Vanda (and Don) Pressnall of Randolph, Brenda (and George) Wichmann of Alden, Suzie Grumstrup of Northfield; ten grandchildren, Erin(and Ben) Telian, Lauren (and Andy) Dixon, Marissa (and Jim) Hile, Nick Overby, Ryan Overby, Becky (and Paul) Harvey, Bryce Pressnall, Jeff Wichmann, Diana (and Heath) Reindel, and Richie Grumstrup; four great granddaughters, Bella and Maddie Pressnall, Lyla and Charlotte Reindel; sister, Evelyn Gunderson of Kenyon; sister-in-law, Verna Overby of New Hampshire. He is preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Patricia, and two brothers, Norman and Luverne Overby. Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home, Kenyon on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and at Dale Lutheran Church, Kenyon on Thursday from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM . Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 22, 2011 at 11:00 AM at Dale Lutheran Church, Kenyon with Rev. Heather Culuris officiating. Interment will be in the Dale Lutheran Church Cemetery. Visitation: 12/21/2011 16:00 12/21/2011 19:00 Service: and one hour prior to the service at the church 12/22/2011 11:00