Cold Spring
April 15, 1939 – May 6, 2026
James (Jim) Thomas Dolan, devoted husband, dad, grandpa, uncle and brother, died peacefully on May 6, 2026. In his final days, he still was showing his masterful storytelling and Irish wit amidst love from family and friends. Born in Elrosa, Minnesota, on April 15, 1939, to Leo and Ella (Welch) Dolan, Jim grew up in the Elrosa “post office & barbershop house” with older sisters, Nancy (Welle), Patty (Treloar), and younger sisters Jeanne (Markell) and Mary Beth Dolan. At age 10 he contracted polio but fully recovered after months of quarantine at Sister Kenny Institute. This determination became a hallmark of his life.
Jim excelled academically and in athletics (particularly baseball). His sports success pleased most of all his father, who was so proud of his only son and rarely missed his games. Jim, a middle child in a family of feisty/ extroverted sisters, was more reserved. But under his quiet demeanor was a sharp intellect and a kind soul.
After high school, Jim enlisted in the Army Reserve and served at Fort Ord, California, as a heavy equipment operator. His training as a draftsman took him to Cold Spring Granite Company, in the community where he and the love of his life, Mary Kathleen (“Mary Kay”) Kochmann, would set roots for a lifetime together. Mary Kay literally was “the girl next door.” The couple celebrated nearly 61 years of marriage, having taken their vows at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa on September 18, 1965. And the happy union produced four beautiful children: Mark Dolan, Pat (Jade) Dolan, Carla (Gregg) Scott, and Kelly (Kurt) Allison. Jim was next employed at the State Bank of Cold Spring as an insurance agent, a position that would take him through to retirement years. It was not just his workplace but also the circle for his many valued friendships.
He and Mary Kay loved their community and served it in many ways during the busy years of raising a family. Jim was a member of the Cold Spring American Legion Post 455, St. Boniface Parish Council, and a volunteer with the Cold Spring Fire Department for 25 years.
In retirement, he continued to love fishing and hunting outings with good friends and attended his son Pat’s SCSU baseball games, watching sports, and spending time with extended family. Those close to him valued Jim’s kitchen talents, fish fries, BBQs and pickle-making. Honesty, integrity, patience, wiseness and trustworthiness were all traits that defined his character.
Jim was preceded in death by parents Leo and Ella (Welch) Dolan; sisters Nancy (Dolan) Welle, Pat (Dolan) Treloar and Mary Beth Dolan. He is survived by his wife, children and four grandchildren: Carson Scott, Cameron Scott, Gavin Scott and Levi Allison as well as his sister Jeanne Dolan Markell and many nieces, nephews and in-laws.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Boniface Church, Cold Spring, at 1:30 p.m. on May 21, 2026, preceded by an 11 a.m. visitation at the church narthex. Burial will be at the parish cemetery following the mass.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to the doctors and nurses at St. Cloud Hospital, especially Milissa McDuffee (cardiology) and primary Lori Edlund. Thanks also to the compassionate staff at Quiet Oaks Hospice House and Wenner Funeral Home. May the Lord wrap his loving arms around Jim Dolan. In lieu of flowers, Jim asks for donations to St. Cloud State Huskies baseball and Poor Clare’s Monastery, Sauk Rapids.
Services are with the Wenner Funeral Home, Cold Spring, MN.
