James Vern Cowell

James Vern Cowell, age 63, passed away on September 2, 2026, from a bicycle accident near Preston, MN. Jim was the fifth child born on May 28, 1963, to Derald and Corine (Dahl) Cowell of Otranto, Iowa. He grew up around the St. Ansgar area before moving to Otranto. His childhood was filled with fishing the Cedar River, riding bikes, motorcycles, snowmobiles, and just being a carefree kid. He was immensely proud of the small rural community of Otranto.

He graduated from St. Ansgar High School in 1981 and was able to enjoy pulling his classmates in the Stacyville Brat Daze parade for their 45th class reunion. After graduation he completed his Ag-Diesel Mechanic diploma at NIACC in Mason City, IA.

In June of 1982, he went to Clear Lake with friends where he met the love of his life Laura Rasmusson at the infamous Down Under Bar. He told everyone it was love at first sight, and after a month of dating he proposed. He requested to be married on his birthday so he would never forget an anniversary, so they were married on May 28, 1983.

Jim and Laura moved to Hampton, IA when they were first married while he worked farrowing hogs with Bore Power Hog Farms. After a layoff they moved to Austin, MN where he worked for the Thoen Family helping on the farms.

Jim wanted to start a family right away, being the youngest in his family with older parents. His sons Ian, Jared, and Jamie were born in Austin, MN. In 1994 they decided to build his dream house in Stacyville, that way the boys could grow up in the small town like he did. He also joined the Stacyville Fire Department where he gained the nickname Lightning.

In January of 1986, he went to work for Hormel Foods encompassing a 33-year career. He was highly successful as a Mechanic on the SPAM Line and eventually became a Mechanical Engineer Supervisor for SPAM and traveled to other Hormel plants. He retired from Hormel in December 2019. Jim was asked to return in 2020 where he helped with the transition of SPAM lines to the Dubuque plant and made many friends.

He officially retired in December of 2023, which led him and his spouse (Laura) to become roadies. Their winter trip on Route 66 to Texas had him seeing some of his favorite sites: historical gangster museums, seeing the ocean for the first time and South Padre Island. Also, a trip to Las Vegas this past winter with Jared, Brittney, his favorite mother-in-law Linda and brother-in-law Mike. He loved attending the annual Rasmusson/Vosburgh summer fishing trip to Canada and fall fishing trips to Lake of the Woods. He enjoyed being a “CowBoy” and hunting the big bucks at Josh & Julie’s farm.

Jim had numerous hobbies over the years including hunting, fishing, 4-wheeling, snowmobiling, camping, biking, boating, golfing, and attending the infamous Jones County Fair. He enjoyed watching Twins baseball, Hawkeye football, college basketball, and NASCAR racing. The many weekend camping trips on the Cedar River, Demo Derby’s, Firemen water ball fights, and NASCAR races.

Jim enjoyed the time spent with his boys and watching them grow into strong men and fathers who gave him grandchildren that he loved to spoil!

Jim is survived by sons: Ian (Heather), Jared (Brittney), and Jamie (Kaitlin); his grandchildren: Emilia, Alana, Ben, Conner, and Drew, Zoey, Jace, Eleanor, Wren, Adalyn, & Harrison; his siblings: Dean (Sue) Cowell, Karen Bolding, Avis (Phil) Haberkamp, and Janet (Jerry) Billick; nieces and Nephews: Tammie, Wendy, Jason, Sherry, Julie, Jeremy, Chad, Jennifer, Stephanie, Alexa, Derek and Cam; brother-in-law: Mike Rasmusson; favorite mother-in-law: Linda Rasmusson. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Derald and Corine Cowell; father-in-law, Mearle Rasmusson; brother-in-law, Roy Bolding; and best friend, Wayne Adams.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Hoff Celebrations - Champions in Osage from 1:00-3:00pm followed by a celebration of life at the VFW Hall in Osage at 3:00pm. Please dress casually and come with stories to celebrate. The burial will be held at a later date.

The family also wishes to extend special thanks to EMTs and Sherriff offices of Fillmore and Mitchell County along with the friends who graciously supported us at Preston during this challenging time.