PORTAGE/APPLE VALLEY, Minn. - Kenneth J. James, formerly of Portage, 98, passed away Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at Centennial House in Apple Valley, Minn.

Kenneth was born Nov. 23, 1910, in Portage. He worked for the Mobil Oil Company for 42 years.

He is survived by his children, Bob (Helen) James, Prior Lake, Minn., Phil (Barb) James, Prior Lake, Minn., Dennis (Jan) James, Algonquin, Ill., and Karen James, Eagan, Minn.; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Helen; a son, Tom; a brother, Fred James; and sisters, Hazel Eggleston and Ethel Kaiser.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary Catholic Church in Portage, with Father Jim Murphy presiding. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery in Portage. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of the services at the church.

Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family. www.pmmfh.com