James R. Spitzack

James “Jim” Roger Spitzack, age 83, of Richfield, died Sunday, August 23, 2026, at Providence Place Senior Living, Minneapolis.

Jim, a faithful servant of Christ, devoted husband, father, teacher, and friend, was born August 8, 1943, in Morristown, MN. He grew up in Morristown, where he received his elementary and high school education. He earned an Associate of Arts degree from Concordia College, St. Paul, MN in 1963, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Education from Concordia College, Seward, NE, in 1965. He later earned a Master of Arts in Education from Concordia Teacher’s College, River Forest, IL, in 1972.

In 1965, Jim began his ministry at Walther Memorial Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, WI, where he served as a classroom teacher, day school athletic program director, and youth director. During his time in Milwaukee, he enjoyed serving on the boards of the Greater Milwaukee Federation of Lutheran Churches and the Lutheran High School Association of Greater Milwaukee. He also served as president of the Milwaukee Lutheran Elementary School Athletic Association, and as treasurer of the Milwaukee Lutheran Teachers Conference.

In 1969, Jim married the love of his life, Becky Liepitz of Milwaukee. Together they built a life centered on faith, family, and service. In 1975, Jim and Becky moved to Lakefield, MN, where Jim served as Pastor’s Assistant at Immanuel Lutheran Church. During his five years there, he was deeply involved in the congregation’s youth ministry, teaching confirmation and release-time classes, Sunday School Superintendent, and making shut-in visits. He also became active in the Lakefield community, including serving as president-elect of the local Kiwanis Club.

In 1980, Jim and Becky welcomed their daughter, Joy, into their family. Later that same year, Jim accepted a call to Mt. Calvary Lutheran School in Richfield, MN, beginning a new chapter for their life. Jim started at Mt. Calvary as a fifth- and sixth-grade teacher and became principal in 1981. After serving in this duel role until 1989, he returned his full attention to teaching, continuing in the fifth and sixth grades. He retired from full-time ministry after 40 years of service.

Teaching was not simply a profession for Jim—it was a calling. He invested in generations of students, teaching them academics while also modeling what it meant to live as a Christian. He coached sports, drove buses for field trips and athletic events, served as master of ceremonies for talent nights, led numerous trips to Washington D.C., and found countless other ways to encourage students and families.

Retirement did not mean slowing down for Jim. He drove for field trips as well as sporting events and games for the Richfield Public Schools. He quickly became a sought-after driver among the coaches. His coaches knew they could count on him—not only to get them there safely, but to get them there prepared and on schedule. Jim and Becky loved to travel, and felt blessed to have traveled across the nation and around the world.

His service extended far beyond the classroom. Within the congregation, Jim led Stephen Ministry, Bible studies, and LifeLight. He served as vice president of the congregation, president of the local AAL branch, and later as a Thrivent chapter leader. He served as a teacher delegate to LCMS Synodical conventions and on the Alumni Council at Concordia University, St. Paul.

Jim believed that serving Christ meant serving people wherever God placed them. He volunteered in his community, including driving vans for Spanish reading programs, helping at Bethesda Thrift Store, and serving on accreditation committees for area Christian schools. He also organized numerous blood drives for Memorial Blood Center.

Even after retirement, Jim continued looking for ways to serve. He drove a van for Sunday worship services, led worship services at a local senior community, and remained a faithful presence in the lives of family, friends, former students, and members of his church.

In 2021, Jim was diagnosed with dementia. As the disease progressed, the man who had spent his life serving others gradually needed more help himself. Jim passed away after his battle with dementia, leaving behind a legacy that cannot be measured by awards or titles.

Jim never sought recognition for the things he did. When nominated for a Concordia University, St. Paul alumni award, he humbly wrote that he had not written books, revolutionized education, served in prominent positions, or made his mark in the business world or other areas. Instead, he simply considered himself one of thousands of church workers who had been blessed to serve faithfully.

But those who knew Jim knew that his impact could not be measured. His legacy was found in the lives he touched—in the students he taught, the people he encouraged, the families he served, the blood drives he organized, the ministries he led, and the countless quiet acts of kindness that often went unnoticed.

Above all, Jim was a humble servant of Christ. His life was a testimony that faithfulness does not always make headlines.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Roger and Eileen, brother, Gerald "Jerry" Spitzack. He is survived by his beloved wife, Becky; daughter, Joy (Jimmy) Anderson; sister, Janet (Frank) Novak; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, former students, and friends who were blessed to know him.

Jim’s life reflected the words he sought to live by—not seeking recognition but faithfully serving the Lord and the people God placed in his path. “Well done, good and faithful servant” Matthew 25:23a.