James "Jamma" K. Connell
May 29, 1969 - February 25, 2025
James K. Connell, "Jamma", age 55, of Shakopee, MN, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at his home with family.
Jim was born on May 29, 1969, in Midland, TX, the son of Joseph and Kathryn (Lahann) Connell. He attended grade school at All Saints in Cedar Rapids, IA, then John Marshall High School. While attending Mankato State University, Jamma met Sara Sirek, and they were married on September 14, 1996 at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Jamma was employed as a project manager at Boerger in Chanhassen, MN.
When he was in high school, he enjoyed playing the trombone in the marching band, wrestling, and throwing shot put and discus, and also played rugby in college. Jamma also completed a marathon, and triathlon. Fishing was another hobby he enjoyed.
He loved being outdoors, and that started at a young age when his family would camp in tents, and their travels took them to Washington and all the way back to the Midwest, with most of the camping taking place in Wisconsin. This love of exploring continued with his own family, where they took several trips to the mountains in Colorado.
Jamma also enjoyed reading, and he was a wonderful cook, although had a tendency to trip the smoke alarm when baking!
Jim was a very humble man, and friends and family always came first. He was comfortable with his relationship with God, and during his fight with cancer, he would often make the comment, "Either way, I win".
Jamma is survived by his loving wife, Sara; sons, Riley (Kati Kolar) and Aiden; parents, Joseph (step-mother, Jan) Connell; siblings, Carolyn (John) Heidal, Ken (Shannon) Connell, and Julie (Greg) Kopf; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mathias, Jr. and Diane "Twinkle Toes" Sirek; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Rachel (Dan) Olmanson, Rebecca Sirek, Ted Sirek, and Suzanne Pickering. He was preceded in death by his mother, Kathryn Connell; sister, Sharon Connell; grandparents, Francis and Margery Connell, and Lowell and Ruth Lahann; and his beloved dog, Rocky.
Visitation Wednesday, March 5, 2025, from 4-8 PM, at McNearney-Schmidt Funeral and Cremation, 1220 3rd Ave. East, Shakopee. Visitation will also be held on Thursday, March 6, from 10-10:45 AM, at Church of St. Mark, 350 Atwood St. South, Shakopee; followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM. Livestream will be provided by the Parish of Saints Joachim and Anne:
Interment Catholic Cemetery, Shakopee. Family would prefer memorials.
Visit the McnNearney-Schmidt obituary page.
Obituary and photo submitted by McNearney-Schmidt Funeral and Cremation.