James Jay Cass

A Funeral Service for James J. Cass age 72 of Warroad, MN will be held Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at 11AM at Zion Lutheran Church of Warroad, MN.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church.  A visitation will be held Monday, June 1, 2026 Helgeson Funeral Home of Warroad, MN from 5-7PM with a 7PM Prayer service.

After a long and hard-fought battle with cancer, Jim passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of love, resilience, and kindness.  James Jay Cass was born on October 10, 1953, at Warroad Hospital in Warroad, MN to Charles and Erna Cass. He grew up in Warroad until the seventh grade, when his family moved to Lombard, Illinois. He attended Willowbrook High School and graduated in 1971.

In 1972, Jim met the love of his life, Luella Alma Olson, on a blind date set up by his sister Joan. Years ago, when Jim was living away from Warroad, Luella would send him love letters telling him how much she missed him. It wasn’t long before he moved back home. That was Jim — devoted, steady, and always where his heart belonged.They didn’t waste any time and were married on March 31, 1973. Together they built a beautiful life and raised three children, sharing 52 wonderful years of marriage before Luella’s passing.

Jim returned to Warroad in 1972 and briefly worked at Polaris before being laid off after six weeks. He then worked in the woods at the Angle with his brother-in-law Doug until the spring of 1973. In spring of 1973 , he began working at Marvin Windows in the Double Hung department, where he worked for three years.

In the spring of 1976, Jim began road construction at $7 an hour — and at that rate, he thought he was a millionaire. He often said he felt like he had the world by the tail. During the winters from 1976 to 1979, he worked in the woods, loading four trucks a week — 1800 posts — earning a penny a post. 

Over his 44-year construction career, Jim worked under Wayne Thorson at Thorson Construction, which later became NorthStar Materials and eventually Knife River Corporation. In 2000, Thorson Construction was sold to Knife River and became NorthStar Materials, and by 2004 the company transitioned fully to Knife River. Jim dedicated his life to the trade until retiring in 2017. He began his career driving a water truck, later operated a belly dump, and spent the final 20 years of his career as superintendent of the asphalt plant. He retired after 44 years in construction — a career defined by grit, loyalty, hard work, and leadership. 

From 1980 to 1985, Jim served as the caretaker of the Gardens and Olympic Arenas in Warroad. If you had the honor of helping him sweep the arena after a high school game, you might have earned yourself a leftover hot dog — a memory many still cherish. In the winter of 1985, he also worked for Hontvet Farms alongside his good friend Carter Hontvet for many years.

Hockey and community were woven deeply into Jim’s life. He served as President of the Warroad Lakers in the mid-1980s for 20 years and proudly drove the Warroad Laker Bus on out-of-town trips, with Cal Marvin as his loyal co-pilot. Cal always made Jim special sandwiches tied with two knots — unless Scotty Knutson managed to steal them first. Jim and Cal would share a beer, though Cal never let him have a whole one.

In retirement  Jim couldn’t sit still so decided to go work for Paul Bunyan transit and drive the RCat bus. He enjoyed driving the RCat bus for 5 years up until his illness. 

Above all else, Jim was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Family meant everything to him, and he never missed a hockey game or an opportunity to cheer on his grandchildren. He took immense pride in watching them grow and was proud of each and every one of them.

After retirement, Jim bought a boat and spent countless summer days fishing and making memories on the lake with his children and grandchildren and great grandchildren — moments his family will treasure forever. His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were truly his pride and joy, and the love he had for them was evident in everything he did.

Jim is survived by his three children: Tammy Dejno (Eddie Castle) of Roseau, MN; Sheri (Dean) Rourk of Warroad, MN; and Ryan Cass of Hawley, MN. His grandchildren: Haley (Jake) Gabrick, Kyle (Elizabeth) Rourk, Nicholas (Elizabeth) Dejno, Alex Rourk, and Ella Rourk; and eleven great-grandchildren: Caliray, Rylen, Aubrey, Hudson, Payten, Everly, Olivia, Colt,Hadleih, Beckett and Luke.

He is also survived by his five sisters: Judy (Dave) Swenson , Joyce Cass, Joan Peterson, Jan (Art) Frank, and Jean (Jon) Frolander.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 52 years, Luella Cass; his parents, Charles and Erna Cass; his grandparents; his favorite brother, Jerry Cass; sister-in-law Mary VanWinkle; brother-in-law Doug Peterson; and his precious grandson, Austin Dejno, along with many aunts and uncles.

Jim will be remembered for his steady presence, strong work ethic, quick wit, and unwavering devotion to his family, friends, and community. A devoted family man, Jim’s greatest joy was the time he spent with those he loved. Through every challenge, he showed quiet strength, kindness, and a generous heart that touched countless lives. Though he will be deeply missed, Jim’s legacy lives on in the memories he created, the values he instilled, and the love he so freely gave to everyone fortunate enough to know him.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Jay Cass, please visit our floral store.