James & Mary Underdahl

james & mary underdahl

December 24, 2021 ~ December 26, 2021

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” 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 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 in 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 housefire, 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 of 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 love 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 up front 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, selfless wife, who went above and beyond, 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 livestreamed here: https://youtu.be/_lDoixx1JJM

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  1. Our hearts break for the family of this sad and tragic event. Our love, and prayers go out to family. Don and Joleen Kotoski

  2. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the Underdahl families. With caring thoughts, Jim Baldwin and Kim Anderson

  3. My condolences to the Underdahl family. Jim and Mary helped me out when I became homeless at 17, offered me a job and allowed me to do my studies while at work so that I could graduate with my class. They came to my graduation to watch me accept my diploma. I’m so sorry to read this news. They were a very special couple.

  4. Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss… Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.

  5. Some of our fondest memories in life have included Jim and Mary. So near and dear to our hearts. We will miss them so. Our hearts go out to the family.

  6. So sorry for the loss of such precious caring friends of over 50 years. Our hearts go out to you for your shocking tragedy. My God wrap hi arms around each of you and grant you leave through this difficult time. Sincerely, Whitney & RoxAnn Hulleman

  7. The Underdahls , a family that you will never ever forget. I grew up across the street and have the best memories of my childhood with the best neighbors you could ever have. I am proud to have known them and crushed that they are gone. My deepest sympathy to the entire family. I will pray for you to remember every moment you had with your parents. They will be greatly missed. A wonderful family. Jim Pancake

  8. Our deepest sympathy to the Underdahl family. Love, Kirkeeides; Svenkesons; Sanfords; Krueger; Stone; Kirkups; Knops; Schlegels & Svenkesons

  9. Grandma and Grandpa Underdahl were great people and will be missed by their loving family and friends! Our deepest condolences to the family, may they Rest In Peace together in God’s house! Jim and Jennifer Compton

  10. Oh!! My heart is broken ❤️❤️Mom and dad did so many things with your mom and dad. Camping, going up north and getting smelly from their favorite fish town . They did this with cocktails and snacks in your parent’s RV. They went out on so many fabulous dinners together. Their fun camping journey’s in South Dakota. I even worked for them at Royalton. Your dad gave a beautiful speech at my mom’s funeral dinner. There was a lot Pat, Jean, Jim, and Mary events. They even went to Johnson together. May God bless your big beautiful family ❤️They were so proud of you!! Dana, my thoughts and prayers are with you With heartfelt sorrow, Colleen Wallace Kohler (Pat and Jean)

  11. With deepest sympathy. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Your family from M Health Fairview and the Chisago, Wyoming and North Branch clinics.

  12. So sorry for your families loss. We are sending strength, love and prayers. From the Kunshier family Gary, Teresa & family.

  13. Jim and Mary will be so missed. They treated me like i was their daughter. I know that they are both resting in the Lord’s bosom. I pray the comfort of the Holy Spirit on the entire Underdahl Family.

  14. With loving memories of James & Mary Underdahl. We are thinking and praying for all of you during this difficult time!

  15. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as we mourn and celebrate Jim & Mary. They live forever in our hearts. Blessings to all.

  16. With our deepest sympathies and condolences to the entire Underdahl family for your loss. Jim and Mary were wonderful neighbors. The Quammen Family

  17. To the memory of a very fine and much loved couple. My heart felt condolences to all of the Underdahl family. God bless. Charley

  18. I’ll always remember the great times and kindness Jim and Mary showed me especially during difficult times growing up.

  19. Our deepest sympathy are with u all at such difficult time. Our greatest memory is the Lutefisk dinners we did with Jim and Mary a wonderful couple. Ross and Deb


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