James “Jim” Shay, age 78 of Nicollet, died peacefully on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at his home.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Nicollet. Pastor David Carlovsky will officiate.

Visitation will be 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Nicollet. Visitation will continue Wednesday from 1-2 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church before the service.

To leave an online condolence for his family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: mvfh.org

James Owen Shay was born in Mason City, Iowa, on June 29, 1948, and grew up in Clear Lake, Iowa.

In 1964, he met Sonja at his cousin’s wedding. After graduating from high school in 1966, Jim moved to Nicollet, Minnesota, where he worked for O.P. Kessler and Dahms Hardware as a plumbing and heating apprentice.

In April 1968, Jim joined the United States Air Force. He was stationed in Japan, the Philippine Islands, and South Carolina during his service.

After his military service, Jim and Sonja moved back to Minnesota, where Jim obtained his Master Plumbers license and they ran several businesses throughout their years together. In his spare time, Jim enjoyed fishing, hunting, and spending time with his family and friends.

Jim is survived by his wife, Sonja; his children, Jenny and Dan Ahlers, Chris and Michelle Shay, Becky and Paul Thigpen, and Tim and Christine Shay; and his grandchildren, Nick and Jasmin Ahlers, Ashley Polich, Bailey and Brandon Hale, Whitney Ahlers, Taylor and Kayla Shay, Logan Shay (special friend Madison Nolz), Nolan Thigpen, Taya Thigpen, Landon Shay, Titus Shay, Ephraim Shay, and Josslyn.

He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Aowyn, Theodyn, Piper, Thomas, Holton, and Harrison; his sister, Janet (Pat) Herz; his brother-in-law, Fred (Dianne) Froehlich; and many nieces and nephews.