James Michael Conover

Conover, James "Jim" Michael age 78, of Minneapolis, passed away in his home on Thursday, June 30. Born in Minneapolis on December 27, 1943, Jim was the first of five children to Elmer "Al" and Janet Conover. Jim graduated from Hopkins High School in 1961, where he excelled on the swim team, as the editor-in-chief of the annual yearbook, and perhaps, most significantly, on the debate team. He went on to study at both the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the University of Chicago, majoring in fine arts and liberal arts respectively. He later completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Minnesota, majoring in art history and studio arts. Jim was drafted into the Vietnam War and served as a military policeman, stationed in Heidelberg, Germany from 1968 to 1970. During that time, he married his first wife, Kathryn, with whom he welcomed his first daughter, Sophie, in 1975. Much of Jim's career was spent in luxury kitchen design and remodeling, both independently and for well-respected firms including Lundgren Bros. and Kitchens by Krengel. He served numerous prominent Minneapolis clients, including the Gabbert, Dayton, Gillette, and Dupont families, as well as the CEOs of companies such as General Mills, Pillsbury, Unisys, and United Healthcare. He was involved in the restoration of the historic Bennett-McBride home in 1976, and participated in various home and remodeling showcases over the years. In carpentry, he claimed there's a right tool for every job, and he had to have all of them. Jim's true vocation was art, and he was an accomplished painter and printmaker. He worked on the exhibition staff at the Walker Art Center in the early 1970s, and continued painting and printmaking throughout his life, working primarily in abstract impressionism. A selection of his paintings were on display at the Minneapolis Art Institute in March 1978 as part of the Minnesota Artists Exhibition Program, "A Change in Scale." Jim's Swedish heritage was very important to him. He would stand in long lines at Ingebretsen's for Swedish meatballs and pickled herring to bring to holiday gatherings every year. He also loved camping and fishing in Northern Minnesota, and his siblings have fond memories of fishing together on Crane, Rainy, and Burntside Lakes. Jim always did things his way. He was known to bring home stray dogs that became beloved family pets. He once took the bus home after spending a week in Arizona on vacation, deciding he'd "had enough family time." He welcomed his daughter Zoe in 1986 with his second wife, April. And in 1995, he welcomed his daughter Annie, with his third wife, Mary. Jim was immensely proud of all of his daughters and loved them dearly. He will always be remembered for his sharp wit, his discerning eye and brilliant artistic talent, and his irresistible charm and loving nature. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Al and Janet, and is survived by his wife, Mary; three daughters, Sophie (Alex) Sohn, Zoe (Richard) Polle, and Annie (Mason) Van Essen; two step-daughters, Vangie Pettitt and Rachael Powell; and seven grandchildren, Henry, Maddox, Ivy, Isabeau, Gemma, Tristan, and Julia. He also leaves behind four loving siblings, Anna Moore, Jean (Bob) Yablonski, Stephen (Cindy) Conover, and Mary (Joe) McMahon, along with many nieces, nephews, and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Listening Point Foundation or the Salvation Army. Funeral Service 11am Thursday July 7th with visitation beginning at 10am at: Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996 West 50th Hwy 100

Tributes

James Michael Conover

December 27, 1943 - June 30, 2022

Tributes

James Michael Conover

December 27, 1943 - June 30, 2022

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