James Eyer, age 79, went home to be with the Lord and his beloved bride Vonnie on May 21, 2014. He was born in Chicago on Sept. 22, 1934, and graduated from Luther High School, class of 1952. He attended St. Olaf College, receiving his B.A. in 1957. St. Olaf is also where he met Vonnie at a school square dance. Jim attended Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., receiving his B.D. in 1961 and his M.Th. in 1965. He was also part of an archeological expedition to Hebron, Jordan in 1964. From 1961-1967 he was the pastor for three congregations in rural Benton and Sherburne counties – Glendorado, South Santiago, and West Branch, Minn. In 1967, he left the ministry to pursue a career in social work. Jim was a longtime advocate for children, working in Anoka County Child Protective Services and Family Child Care Licensing from 1975 until retirement in 2000.

During this time he was a founding member of Minnesota Association of Family Child Care Licensors, was the organization’s second president, and was a longtime board member. He was also named the first Minnesota Child Care Advocate of the Year in 1997. He was a church organist for 25+ years and would combine his music composition skills and sense of humor to include arrangements of Dr. Seuss songs during postludes, and Happy Birthday for Christmas services. After retirement, Jim enjoyed reading, needlepoint, and Jazz, travelling numerous times to New Orleans with Vonnie for festivals and Mardi Gras. Memorials may be sent to Allina Palliative Care, St. Paul, Minn..

James was preceded in death by parents, George and Evelyn, and his wife of 54 years, Yvonne Bourn Eyer ’58. He is survived by son, Timothy; daughters, Gloria and Margaret; grandchildren, Kristin, Billy, Chase, Scott, Sarah, Spencer, and Blake; and great-granddaughter, Rylea.