James “Jim” Matthew Skluzacek, age 84, of Montgomery passed away on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 peacefully at home. Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 8 from 4pm-8pm at the Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 9, at 10:30am with visitation one and half hour prior at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with Father Tom Niehaus officiating. Burial will be held at a later date. Military Honors will be provided by the Montgomery area Veterans Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred.

Jim was born on September 29, 1939 in New Prague to George and Anna (Smisek) Skluzacek. He attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School and was a graduate of New Prague High School in 1957. After high school he went into the United States Army Reserves in Missouri. In 1961 he married Joan David. He was a lifetime member of the Most Holy Redeemer and the KC’s. Jim worked for the MN Valley Breeders and for Superior Gas Station and then worked for Highway Motors as part owner. October 4, 1973, he purchased a shop and named it Waterville Auto Center where he worked as a mechanic and sold cars until he retired. In his younger years he enjoyed playing clarinet with the Eddie Kabes Band, drag racing, he had the first funny car in Minnesota. Jim loved fishing, softball, deer hunting, bowling, camping, and playing cards with family and friends and being a snowbird. He was also an avid fan of the Twins and Vikings. But most of all he enjoyed his time with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchild.

Jim is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joan Skluzacek of Montgomery; children, Shelly (Tom) Nieman of New Prague, Jeff (Lisa) Skluzacek of Mankato, Lori (Brian) Henze of Webster, and Chris (Tonya) Skluzacek of New Prague; grandchildren, Matthew (Chelsea) Nieman, Scott Nieman, Danielle Skluzacek, Cassidy (Halsted) Knutson, Morgan (Han) McMahon, Tyler (Robin) Henze, and Adam Henze; step-grandchildren, Nicole, Alexander, Chandra (Will), Indya, and London; great-grandchildren, Brekkyn, Brogan, Sophie, Scarlett, Saylor, and Briggs; step-great-grandchildren, Dominic, Ryder, and Aspen; sister, Elsie (George) Tupy; sisters-in-law, Marion Skluzacek, Dorothy Anderson, Deanna David, and Doris David; and many nephews and nieces.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Ann (Ray) Simon, George (Lillian) Skluzacek, Stella (Frank) Jirik, and Mike Skluzacek; brothers-in-law, Ernest David, Bernard David, and Mike Anderson.

Arrangements are with the Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. 507-364-7929. On-line condolences may be left at www.schoenbauerfuneralhome.com.