James Patrick Wilka

James Patrick Wilka, 69, of Fridley, Minnesota, died peacefully on March 2, 2026, with his wife and daughter Kelly by his side. He was an amazing and much-loved husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, uncle, and friend.

Jim was born on July 5, 1956, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Bill and Kitty Wilka. One of twelve children, Jim was proud of his large Irish Catholic family and shared a strong bond with his siblings: Bill, Tom, Jeff, Mary, Dan, Tim, Suzanne, Jane, John, Steve, and Rich. He was preceded in death by his beloved parents and his oldest brother, Bill. The closeness of his family shaped the way he approached relationships throughout his life.

On May 10, 1996, Jim married the love of his life, Lee (MacIntosh). Together they built a life rooted in laughter, loyalty, and deep devotion. Their nearly 30 years of marriage—and 37 years together—were filled with the simple moments they cherished most, like sitting side by side reading, talking, or watching reruns of The King of Queens and Everybody Loves Raymond.

Jim was the proud father of two children, Brienne (Bee) Wilka and Kelly (Adam) Hillesheim. His children knew him as their biggest supporter and teacher in life, someone who never missed a chance to remind them how proud he was of them. He delighted in teaching, encouraging, and simply being present with them, relishing the role of coach, mentor, and storyteller that defined so much of who he was. That same love and devotion extended to his grandchildren, Wyatt and Nora, who brought “Grampy” joy and pride and filled some of the happiest moments of his life.

He was a proud uncle to his 35 nieces and nephews, and their spouses and children, delighting in watching them grow and thrive, celebrating their many accomplishments, and always taking a genuine interest in their lives.

For the final twelve years of his career, Jim worked as a paraprofessional, a role that perfectly suited his natural ability to connect with young people. His students affectionately called him “Mr. Gym”. Even years later, former students and parents would stop him to say he was their favorite teacher.

A lifelong sports fan, Jim loved football and rarely missed the chance to cheer on the Minnesota Vikings and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. His love of sports extended to watching Wyatt play baseball and football and proudly cheering from the sidelines. Years earlier, he shared that same enthusiasm by coaching Brienne on the baseball field and Kelly on the basketball court. He also loved history and politics (a little bit less in recent years), but never lost his curiosity about the world and the people in it.

Jim loved people and had the ability to connect with anyone he met, quickly finding a shared interest or story that made conversation easy. He was genuinely interested in others and their experiences, always listening with care. More than anything, Jim was an extraordinary husband, father, and grandfather, and his greatest joy was his family. He was a simple man in the best possible way—content with what he had, never envious of others, and always ready to celebrate their successes. Those who knew him will remember a man who made them feel seen, welcomed, and valued, and who carried a deep pride and unwavering love for the family that shaped his life.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 13, 2026, at St. Olaf Catholic Church in Minneapolis. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the church, with a luncheon to follow.