James "Uncle Jim" Beilke

James R. “Uncle Jim” Beilke, age 53 of Sauk Centre, passed away unexpectedly surrounded by his family on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at the CentraCare Hospital, in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 12 at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre with Sandy Vait officiating. Inurnment will be in Greenwood Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre.

James Robert Beilke was born August 19, 1971 in Fridley, Minnesota to Robert and Lila (Pyles) Beilke. He grew up in Minneapolis and later moved to Sauk Centre. He attended Spring Lake Park High School and went on to get his Class A license. At age 21 he was diagnosed with manic bipolar disorder and had many battles with his diagnoses throughout his life. 

Uncle Jim would spend his days visiting his family and friends, taxi cabbing people from point A to B, trying his luck at gambling, and hanging with the locals. He also loved hanging out with his nieces and nephews around a bonfire. He was always the one to call when needing a helping hand or doing any task. He will be remembered for his heart of gold. If Uncle Jim had any final words for his family and friends, it would be “Catch you on the flip side.”

Survivors include his father, Robert Beilke of Cold Spring; siblings, Richard (Diane) Beilke of St. Paul, Jay (Rachel) Beilke of Sauk Centre, Kayle (Jamie) Beilke of Ramsey, and Tracy (Mark) Karasch-Feela of Sauk Centre; and many nieces and nephews.

Uncle Jim was preceded in death by his mother, Lila Beilke on January 29, 2025; brother, Robert Beilke, Jr.; brother-in-law, Lyle Karasch; and great-niece, Kinsley Schaefer.