Paul James (Jim) Kasen, age 91, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2024, from complications of end-stage Parkinson's disease. He was surrounded by his loving family in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Born on February 23, 1933, in a Swedish log home in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, he grew up surrounded by beautiful trees he loved.

Jim Kasen led an extraordinary life marked by service and dedication. He proudly served as an Army aircraft mechanic and paratrooper, demonstrating his bravery and commitment to his country. After his military service, he returned to Chicago, Illinois, working as a crane operator for several years before transitioning to a career as an air traffic control (ATC) specialist. His ATC career took Jim and his family to Rapid City South Dakota. While a controller, Jim later worked in Portland, Oregon; Pierre, South Dakota; and Green Bay, Wisconsin.

In addition to his professional achievements, Jim was a private pilot who fully restored a vintage Taylorcraft single engine aircraft.

On December 28, 1957, Jim married Carole, the love of his life and together they built a loving family. He was a devoted husband, father to two daughters, grandfather to two granddaughters and one grandson, and great-grandfather to a great-granddaughter born in November 2024.

Jim was a quiet man with an impish sense of humor. His talents were innumerable, but drawings and paintings were his favorite "down time" activities. Otherwise, he was bringing new life to each of his homes he lived in with creative building projects, planting trees, volunteering at church, restoring cars or sneaking off to fish. He was a man of profound and unwavering faith.

Jim was a published author of children's books based on stories he told to his daughters and grandchildren as they grew up. Jim was honored to have a story he had written about his Army paratrooper experience published in Angels magazine in the fall of 2024.

He is survived by his loving wife Carole, his daughters Sandy (Dave) and Sheri (Reggie) and his grandchildren Jamie (Brian), Matt (Anna) and Carly (Jordan) and great granddaughter Avery Rose.

Jim Kasen will be laid to rest at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis.

Jim was a lifelong student of the rapture and return of Jesus, and his faith was a cornerstone of his life.

1st Thessalonians 4:16-17

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.