Jim and Mary Underdahl died within a couple of days of each other. They were sweethearts from their high school days that kept them inseparatable until the end. What I love about this couple is their strong comittment to their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

December 24, 2021 - December 26, 2021

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Obituary


Loving Parents, Grandparents, Great Grandparents of Forest Lake. James Robert Underdahl born February 13, 1938, in St Paul, age 83, passed away suddenly on December 24, 2021, at his home in Forest Lake. 

Mary Francis Underdahl born January 21, 1940, in St. Paul, age 81, passed away suddenly on December 26, 2021, at her home in Forest Lake. Jim & Mary are survived by loving children, Greg (Tina), Terry (Teri), Sue (Kevin Haseltine), Dana (Brad) Darling, Paul (Ann); mother of Terry’s children, Joy; grandchildren, Elexi (Mike) Schwartz, Crystal (Dan) Barley, Maggie (Larry) Houle, Jimmy (Kelly), Anthony, Cheyenne, Matthew (Jessica), Lee, Zachary, Leah (Mike) Synicyn, Eric (Laura) Haseltine, Mike (Jessica) Haseltine, Amber (Josh) Fagan, Ross Doten, Garrett Darling, Riley Darling, Vince Darling, Whitney (Dom), Seth, Cambria, Elizabeth, Reagan; great-grandchildren, Carmen, Mason, Abigail, Jack, Taylor, Jaxson, Carmela, Colton, Rilynn, Brody, Colten, Dylan, Daven, Austin, Savanah, Jake, Makenzie, Hunter, Kailee, Brooklyn, Michael, Nathan, Lucas, Hendrix, Penelope, Weatherby, Sydney, Ryker; nieces, nephews, and many treasured friends. James is preceded in death by parents, Syvert “Sy” & Sybil; brothers, David “Bud” & Mark. Additionally survived by brother, (Doug) Laura; sister, Judy Bertoi. Mary is preceded in death by parents, Harold “Jack” & Dorothy “Dot” Ames; sisters, Patricia “Pat” Anderson; sister-in-law, Rosemary Ames. Additionally survived by brother, Charles (Bonita) Ames; brother-in-law, Alex Anderson. 

Jim attended Johnson High School where in his junior year he met a beautiful redheaded girl named Mary Ames. Mary was from Columbia Heights and attended Columbia Heights High School where she met Jim on a blind date. 

Jim and Mary began their inseparable love at the ages of 17 and 15. Being from separate sides of the track, they broke the unspoken rule anyway. Jim went on to further his education at the U of M in the field of business. Mary continued her education at Ritter School of Cosmetology. 

Three years later they married on March 1, 1958, and started what would become a family of seven. (3 sons and 2 daughters) 

In 1963 they moved to Forest Lake with Jim’s desire to start a hobby farm and Mary’s desire to open her own in-home beauty shop. 

In 1965, Jim and Mary built the infamous barn to accommodate what would become one of Jim’s favorite hobbies and one of Mary’s dreaded duties. It wasn’t unusual to be a client in her beauty shop and be asked to help heard animals that had gotten out of the fence. 

Jim enjoyed gardening, planting flowers, safari hunting, and collecting cactuses. Mary enjoyed bowling, ceramics, RV trips around the country, and receiving the beautiful flowers Jim provided from their gardens. 

They both enjoyed volunteering, with the favorite being the Lutefisk dinner at their church. 

Jim and Mary would go on to experience many great successes and losses, including the loss of Jim’s dad, a house fire, and the loss of both Jim and Mary’s mothers within a short period.

 Despite all the loss they remained steadfast in their faith and remained pillars to their family. After years of raising kids, Jim working as a plant manager in the fiberglass industry, and Mary running “Mary’s Mini Salon” they would again partner in buying out a fiberglass bath bay and shower company 

In 1982. Jim and Mary successfully ran the family business for 20 years in Forest Lake known as Royaline Industries. Jim being an expert in the skill of making bargains and Mary skilled with meticulous bookkeeping. 

In 2001, they sold the business and retired at their Forest Lake home on the lake for 30 years. In retirement Jim loved spending time with his family and friends, cooking for the many planned dinners and unexpected visitors, with grilling being his favorite. He always enjoyed tinkering in his garage and mending gates and doors at the homestead barn. 

Most of all and most important was sharing his faith and leading his family to listen to the Holy Spirit and receive Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. In retirement, Mary loves spending time with her family and friends. She really loved going out to eat and hearing about all the adventures in her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids' lives. She loved going shopping especially with her 2 daughters. If there was an event involving family Mary was always present. 

You may not have seen her upfront but behind the scenes, she was the support behind her Jim in any and all things. 

Most of all and most important she was the prayer warrior for the Underdahl family and along with Jim prayed that each one would receive Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. Jim, strong loving husband, supportive and generous father, wise and respectable leader, full of life, humor and wit, best story and joke teller. 

Mary, the selfless wife, who went above and beyond, a supportive and generous mother, a heart bigger than life, embraced by all with open arms. 

Devoted children of God and listeners of the Holy Spirit were escorted to their eternal home for Christmas this year, their favorite holiday gathering.

 Visitation for Jim & Mary 4-8 PM Thursday, January 6th at Roberts Family Funeral Home, Forest Lake. A celebration of Jim & Mary’s lives 11 AM Friday, January 7th with visitation one hour prior at Access Church 4359 392nd St, North Branch. Interment, Oak Park Cemetery, Forest Lake. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred which will be directed to causes near and dear to Jim & Mary. Service will be live-streamed here: https://youtu.be/_lDoixx1JJM

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