Individual Details
James Primus
(July 8, 1928 - August 14, 2012)
Tending bar keeps Jim Primus hopping
by Carol Moorman Staff writer
Freeport--Fifty years ago Jim Primus started bartending at The Pioneer Inn in Freeport, owned at the time by Nick and Helen Schwieters. Today, he continues to bartend each Thursday afternoon, at the same bar, now called Ackie's Pioneer Inn and owned by Ed and Jackie Atkinson. Jim--kiddingly--credits his first bartending boss Helen Schwieters with his longevity in the bartending business.
"A few weeks ago we took Helen out for a ride and I said, 'Helen, I have to talk to you about something. You told me when to start. You didn't tell me when to stop,'" said Jim, Wednesday morning sitting around the kitchen table of the rural Melrose home he shares with Bernice, his wife of almost eight years.
For his 50 years tending bar in one liquor establishment, Jim Primus will be honored at Ackie's Pioneer Inn from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 17. Fittingly, a German smorgasbord will be served and music will be provided outside--weather permitting, according to Ed Atkinson. "Jim is just a super guy. He really keeps the bar going," said Ed Atkinson, who has been his longest employer.
Family first
Jim was born and raised in Melrose. He joined the Navy when he was 17 and upon his return to Melrose he married his first wife, Flossie, and they moved to Freeport where he worked for Humbert Implement. They started raising their family of three children, Jean Hellermann, who now lives north of Melrose, within walking distance from Jim and Bernice; Arlene Primus of Minneapolis and Lyla Olafson of St. Francis, (near the Twin Cities).
Meanwhile, Bernice Kluempke and her husband, Bob, were raising their family of children north of Melrose--Arlene Beuning of Melrose, Mike of Kentucky, Gary of Texas, Don of Melrose, Hermie who died young, Mary Kay Solarz of Albany, Carol Stangler of St. Cloud and Amy Stangler of Blaine.
The Primuses and the Kluempkes knew each other through mutual friends. Bob Kluempke died in 1989. Flossie Primus died in 1992.
When asked how Jim first approached her about "going out" Bernice quickly says, "He called me." "That's right, I called her and got that darn answering machine. I called her again and got that answering machine. Finally, I got through to her," said Jim. Bernice received just a little teasing from her children that she and Jim were dating.
On Aug. 5, 1995, Bernice and Jim married and started life together in Bernice's rural Melrose home. "When we got married I asked God for five good years and so far we have eight," said Bernice, who is 76. Jim, who turned 75 July 8, loves to tinker around and finds the workshop handy. "I get sent there to stay out of Bernice's hair," said Jim, smiling as he adds that he enjoys refinishing things like chairs that come loose. "You do not put a nail in a chair. That's a sin. You glue it," said Bernice.
The couple loves to travel. Jim tells the story of how they traveled to Loufton, Nev., one year and when they returned home there was a "House For Sale" sign in their front yard. "I called Arlene (her daughter) and said we were having a good time but we were running out of money," said Bernice, joking around. "And they put the for sale sign on our lawn."
Sense of humor, trust, makes good bartender
Jim has seen five bar owners come and go during his 50 years of tending bar--Nick and Helen Schwieters, Amandus "Hammer" Rolfes, Jim Juettner, Jim Meyer and Ed and Jackie Atkinson.
"The bar owners didn't have enough guts to fire me so they sold the place," said Jim, joking around again. On a more serious note--if that can happen--Jim recalls when he told Ed "Ackie" Atkinson, "I worked for five owners and four of them I buried."
The first was Nick Schwieters. Jim was 25 years old when he started bartending four nights a week for Nick and Helen Schwieters. "Helen trained me in," said Jim. In September of 1957 the bar was sold to Amandus Rolfes, and Jim started working full-time at the bar, working a split-shift. "In 18 years there was never a harsh word between us," said Jim. If Amandus wasn't behind the bar, Jim was, and often there were three or four other bartenders helping out. "Imagine that, three or four bartenders," said Bernice, who on this day, is wearing a purple t-shirt with the words Ackie's Pioneer Inn printed on it. "Years ago we wore white shirts or shirts with buttons down the front. We didn't wear t-shirts like this," said Jim, wearing a matching purple Ackie's t-shirt.
One of the many bartenders Jim worked with was Norb Renneker, whose son, Mike, also bartended and now Mike's son, Russ, continues that tradition.
Jim didn't have far to go home each night around 2 a.m--just upstairs where he lived with Flossie. But that was after they cleaned up the bar, which including scrubbing the floors. "Those first years, when Helen and Nick owned the bar, Helen would make us a big lunch and we'd eat it and then finish up," said Jim, who, during the morning shift would start his day by filling coolers and sweeping floors.
Jim recalls that bars "were rougher back then, especially on weekends." "At the time, he said he could still jump over the bar," said Bernice. "I had to get in the middle of it (the fighting)," said Jim. "We didn't call the police. We handled it."
He recites by heart a small sign that hangs on a wall in the bar, "All our customers make us happy, some by coming and some by leaving." "It's a true sign," said Jim.
Bottled beer--there was no such thing as can beer--whiskey cokes, gin sours, those were the main bar drinks he served. In later years 1919 Rootbeer became a popular soda. "It was three for a dollar and tap beer was 10 cents," said Jim, admitting even today he "doesn't mix those fancy drinks."
"People would walk in the bar with a dollar bill and have a hell of a good time," said Jim, who has shook his share of dice and played his share of the card game Crazy 8 with customers for bar drinks. He said the bars were busy back then, compared to now.
"Farmers would haul their milk and cream to the creamery, stop and pick up their daily supplies and stop at the bar and talk smart," said Jim. "When they started hauling milk with bulk trucks that hurt the bar business." It wasn't just farmers who frequented the bars.
"In those days anybody who worked in town, out of town, owned a business or walked by the bar, stopped in for a few cold ones and then went back to work," said Jim. Other area workers frequented the bar--often late at night.
"Locals who worked the late shift at Franklin in St. Cloud would come in around 12:30 a.m. and half an hour later another few would come in who were done with their shift. After a day's work a beer tasted good no matter what time it was," said Jim.
Since Jim often had to get his children up for school the following morning, he would take a "cat nap" in one of the booths, while the few patrons "tipped a few" before heading home. "You could trust people," said Jim, "and it didn't hurt anyone."
And if someone had too much to drink, the bartenders often provided that person with a ride home. "We've given many customers a ride home. One guy only lived two blocks away. I drove him home in his car and by the time I walked back to the bar he was there again--in his car," said Jim.
Friday and Saturday nights were the busiest--and then there was entertainment on Wednesday nights.
"Amandus figured that was the slow night so he had entertainment," said Jim. Like Nick and Helen Schwieters, Amandus usually popped his head in the bar, even when he wasn't working. "Jim always says owning a bar is just like owning a farm, you gotta work too," said Bernice.
Ed Atkinson turned the tables on Jim, calling him a dependable employee. "Back in the old days our one sacred night off was Tuesday and we'd put Jim on that night because we could depend on him being there," said Ed. In fact when word got out that Jim was bartending on Tuesday nights, the bar was often busy.
"Jim could handle the whole bar when it was busy. He remembered everybody's names and even their drinks when it came time to buy rounds," said Ed, adding that Jim has a real knack for greeting all customers the minute they step in the bar. "It might be with just a wink," said Ed.
What it takes to tend bar
A good bartender needs to have a few good traits of his own. "You need to be patient and a good listener," said Jim, who has listened to his fair share of stories. "And you gotta like people." But whatever he heard in the bar, stayed in the bar.
"I told Father one day, 'You've been a priest a long time. I've been a bartender a long time, but I've heard more confessions than you," he said.
A good bartender also has to have a good sense of humor and know a few jokes, which Jim kiddingly says he gets from Bernice. "Ya, right," she says staring at her husband.
While Jim has had pranks pulled on him in the bar, he has also pulled his share. "He plays subtle jokes, like moving people's drink glasses," said Ed Aktinson.
Jim recalls the time a customer left $5 on the bar to pay for drinks for friends. "He was leaving on a trip and had half an hour to get ready. So 20 minutes after he left I called him at home and caught him in the shower. I told him he was five cents short," said Jim.
Bartending today
At 75, Jim still enjoys his half a day "at work" from 1 to 5:30 p.m. every Thursday--well almost every Thursday. That's when he's not gallivanting around the country with Bernice. "It's good for him," said Bernice, smiling. In fact, his Thursday regulars watch to see if his car is parked in his usual spot behind the bar. "There are three neighbors who, if they see my car, will stop in," said Jim.
When he married Bernice he was still working two nights a week, but that soon came to a halt. "When I'd get home it was usually 2 in the morning, and when it's 20 below and blowing outside that got old," said Jim.
But there's no taking away his Thursday afternoon job. It's his time with the "Thursday afternoon bunch."
"There's just like family," said Jim.
He has watched many a family grow up over the past 50 years. "There's one guy who used to come in here with his little scheister and now that little scheister is bringing in his little scheister," said Jim.
Retiring from bartending is not in Jim's future plans. "I'm probably the only shy, quiet bartender in Stearns County," said Jim, his joking nature showing through again. "He just a super, friendly guy," concludes Ed Atkinson.
James J. "Jim" Primus, 84
Melrose, formerly of Freeport
July 8, 1928 - Aug. 14, 2012
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Friday, August 17, 2012, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose for James "Jim" Primus who died Tuesday, August 14 at the Melrose Area Hospital. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Freeport. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday (TODAY) and from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.
James John Primus was born July 8, 1928, in Melrose, Minnesota to Anthony and Clotilda (Wander) Primus. He served in the Naval Air Force near the end of World War II. He was united in marriage to Florence "Flossie" Meier on May 10, 1948. Flossie died on November 30, 1992, after a battle with cancer. Jim was united to Bernice (Koopmeiners) Kluempke on August 5, 1995, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose. He was a bartender at Ackie's Pioneer Inn in Freeport and retired after 54 years. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose and the American Legion in Albany. Jim was well known for his woodworking, bartending, and his humor.
Survivors include his wife, Bernice Primus of Melrose; children, Jean (Mike) Hellermann of Melrose, Arlene Primus of Minneapolis, and Lyla (Ken) Olafson of Oak Grove; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; step-children, Arlene (Urban) Beuning of St. Rosa, Michael (Judy) Kluempke of Richmond, Kentucky, Gary (Bonnie) Kluempke of Flower Mound, Texas, Don (Sharon) Kluempke of Melrose, Mary Kay (Kluempke) Solarz and Gerard Huhne of Albany, Carol (Mark) Stangler of St. Cloud, and Amy (Ken) Stangler of Blaine; 18 step- grandchildren and 5 step-great-grandchildren; brother, Brother George Primus of St. John's Collegeville; and sisters, Sister Colette Primus of St. Cloud and Mary Ann (Howard) Hinnerichs of White Bear Lake.
Jim was preceded in death by his first wife, Flossie Primus; parents; brothers and sisters, Lorraine Revermann, Don Primus, Mae Rose Baltes, Roy Primus, and Verona Meyer; and step-son, Hermie Kluempke.
by Carol Moorman Staff writer
Freeport--Fifty years ago Jim Primus started bartending at The Pioneer Inn in Freeport, owned at the time by Nick and Helen Schwieters. Today, he continues to bartend each Thursday afternoon, at the same bar, now called Ackie's Pioneer Inn and owned by Ed and Jackie Atkinson. Jim--kiddingly--credits his first bartending boss Helen Schwieters with his longevity in the bartending business.
"A few weeks ago we took Helen out for a ride and I said, 'Helen, I have to talk to you about something. You told me when to start. You didn't tell me when to stop,'" said Jim, Wednesday morning sitting around the kitchen table of the rural Melrose home he shares with Bernice, his wife of almost eight years.
For his 50 years tending bar in one liquor establishment, Jim Primus will be honored at Ackie's Pioneer Inn from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 17. Fittingly, a German smorgasbord will be served and music will be provided outside--weather permitting, according to Ed Atkinson. "Jim is just a super guy. He really keeps the bar going," said Ed Atkinson, who has been his longest employer.
Family first
Jim was born and raised in Melrose. He joined the Navy when he was 17 and upon his return to Melrose he married his first wife, Flossie, and they moved to Freeport where he worked for Humbert Implement. They started raising their family of three children, Jean Hellermann, who now lives north of Melrose, within walking distance from Jim and Bernice; Arlene Primus of Minneapolis and Lyla Olafson of St. Francis, (near the Twin Cities).
Meanwhile, Bernice Kluempke and her husband, Bob, were raising their family of children north of Melrose--Arlene Beuning of Melrose, Mike of Kentucky, Gary of Texas, Don of Melrose, Hermie who died young, Mary Kay Solarz of Albany, Carol Stangler of St. Cloud and Amy Stangler of Blaine.
The Primuses and the Kluempkes knew each other through mutual friends. Bob Kluempke died in 1989. Flossie Primus died in 1992.
When asked how Jim first approached her about "going out" Bernice quickly says, "He called me." "That's right, I called her and got that darn answering machine. I called her again and got that answering machine. Finally, I got through to her," said Jim. Bernice received just a little teasing from her children that she and Jim were dating.
On Aug. 5, 1995, Bernice and Jim married and started life together in Bernice's rural Melrose home. "When we got married I asked God for five good years and so far we have eight," said Bernice, who is 76. Jim, who turned 75 July 8, loves to tinker around and finds the workshop handy. "I get sent there to stay out of Bernice's hair," said Jim, smiling as he adds that he enjoys refinishing things like chairs that come loose. "You do not put a nail in a chair. That's a sin. You glue it," said Bernice.
The couple loves to travel. Jim tells the story of how they traveled to Loufton, Nev., one year and when they returned home there was a "House For Sale" sign in their front yard. "I called Arlene (her daughter) and said we were having a good time but we were running out of money," said Bernice, joking around. "And they put the for sale sign on our lawn."
Sense of humor, trust, makes good bartender
Jim has seen five bar owners come and go during his 50 years of tending bar--Nick and Helen Schwieters, Amandus "Hammer" Rolfes, Jim Juettner, Jim Meyer and Ed and Jackie Atkinson.
"The bar owners didn't have enough guts to fire me so they sold the place," said Jim, joking around again. On a more serious note--if that can happen--Jim recalls when he told Ed "Ackie" Atkinson, "I worked for five owners and four of them I buried."
The first was Nick Schwieters. Jim was 25 years old when he started bartending four nights a week for Nick and Helen Schwieters. "Helen trained me in," said Jim. In September of 1957 the bar was sold to Amandus Rolfes, and Jim started working full-time at the bar, working a split-shift. "In 18 years there was never a harsh word between us," said Jim. If Amandus wasn't behind the bar, Jim was, and often there were three or four other bartenders helping out. "Imagine that, three or four bartenders," said Bernice, who on this day, is wearing a purple t-shirt with the words Ackie's Pioneer Inn printed on it. "Years ago we wore white shirts or shirts with buttons down the front. We didn't wear t-shirts like this," said Jim, wearing a matching purple Ackie's t-shirt.
One of the many bartenders Jim worked with was Norb Renneker, whose son, Mike, also bartended and now Mike's son, Russ, continues that tradition.
Jim didn't have far to go home each night around 2 a.m--just upstairs where he lived with Flossie. But that was after they cleaned up the bar, which including scrubbing the floors. "Those first years, when Helen and Nick owned the bar, Helen would make us a big lunch and we'd eat it and then finish up," said Jim, who, during the morning shift would start his day by filling coolers and sweeping floors.
Jim recalls that bars "were rougher back then, especially on weekends." "At the time, he said he could still jump over the bar," said Bernice. "I had to get in the middle of it (the fighting)," said Jim. "We didn't call the police. We handled it."
He recites by heart a small sign that hangs on a wall in the bar, "All our customers make us happy, some by coming and some by leaving." "It's a true sign," said Jim.
Bottled beer--there was no such thing as can beer--whiskey cokes, gin sours, those were the main bar drinks he served. In later years 1919 Rootbeer became a popular soda. "It was three for a dollar and tap beer was 10 cents," said Jim, admitting even today he "doesn't mix those fancy drinks."
"People would walk in the bar with a dollar bill and have a hell of a good time," said Jim, who has shook his share of dice and played his share of the card game Crazy 8 with customers for bar drinks. He said the bars were busy back then, compared to now.
"Farmers would haul their milk and cream to the creamery, stop and pick up their daily supplies and stop at the bar and talk smart," said Jim. "When they started hauling milk with bulk trucks that hurt the bar business." It wasn't just farmers who frequented the bars.
"In those days anybody who worked in town, out of town, owned a business or walked by the bar, stopped in for a few cold ones and then went back to work," said Jim. Other area workers frequented the bar--often late at night.
"Locals who worked the late shift at Franklin in St. Cloud would come in around 12:30 a.m. and half an hour later another few would come in who were done with their shift. After a day's work a beer tasted good no matter what time it was," said Jim.
Since Jim often had to get his children up for school the following morning, he would take a "cat nap" in one of the booths, while the few patrons "tipped a few" before heading home. "You could trust people," said Jim, "and it didn't hurt anyone."
And if someone had too much to drink, the bartenders often provided that person with a ride home. "We've given many customers a ride home. One guy only lived two blocks away. I drove him home in his car and by the time I walked back to the bar he was there again--in his car," said Jim.
Friday and Saturday nights were the busiest--and then there was entertainment on Wednesday nights.
"Amandus figured that was the slow night so he had entertainment," said Jim. Like Nick and Helen Schwieters, Amandus usually popped his head in the bar, even when he wasn't working. "Jim always says owning a bar is just like owning a farm, you gotta work too," said Bernice.
Ed Atkinson turned the tables on Jim, calling him a dependable employee. "Back in the old days our one sacred night off was Tuesday and we'd put Jim on that night because we could depend on him being there," said Ed. In fact when word got out that Jim was bartending on Tuesday nights, the bar was often busy.
"Jim could handle the whole bar when it was busy. He remembered everybody's names and even their drinks when it came time to buy rounds," said Ed, adding that Jim has a real knack for greeting all customers the minute they step in the bar. "It might be with just a wink," said Ed.
What it takes to tend bar
A good bartender needs to have a few good traits of his own. "You need to be patient and a good listener," said Jim, who has listened to his fair share of stories. "And you gotta like people." But whatever he heard in the bar, stayed in the bar.
"I told Father one day, 'You've been a priest a long time. I've been a bartender a long time, but I've heard more confessions than you," he said.
A good bartender also has to have a good sense of humor and know a few jokes, which Jim kiddingly says he gets from Bernice. "Ya, right," she says staring at her husband.
While Jim has had pranks pulled on him in the bar, he has also pulled his share. "He plays subtle jokes, like moving people's drink glasses," said Ed Aktinson.
Jim recalls the time a customer left $5 on the bar to pay for drinks for friends. "He was leaving on a trip and had half an hour to get ready. So 20 minutes after he left I called him at home and caught him in the shower. I told him he was five cents short," said Jim.
Bartending today
At 75, Jim still enjoys his half a day "at work" from 1 to 5:30 p.m. every Thursday--well almost every Thursday. That's when he's not gallivanting around the country with Bernice. "It's good for him," said Bernice, smiling. In fact, his Thursday regulars watch to see if his car is parked in his usual spot behind the bar. "There are three neighbors who, if they see my car, will stop in," said Jim.
When he married Bernice he was still working two nights a week, but that soon came to a halt. "When I'd get home it was usually 2 in the morning, and when it's 20 below and blowing outside that got old," said Jim.
But there's no taking away his Thursday afternoon job. It's his time with the "Thursday afternoon bunch."
"There's just like family," said Jim.
He has watched many a family grow up over the past 50 years. "There's one guy who used to come in here with his little scheister and now that little scheister is bringing in his little scheister," said Jim.
Retiring from bartending is not in Jim's future plans. "I'm probably the only shy, quiet bartender in Stearns County," said Jim, his joking nature showing through again. "He just a super, friendly guy," concludes Ed Atkinson.
James J. "Jim" Primus, 84
Melrose, formerly of Freeport
July 8, 1928 - Aug. 14, 2012
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Friday, August 17, 2012, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose for James "Jim" Primus who died Tuesday, August 14 at the Melrose Area Hospital. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Freeport. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday (TODAY) and from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.
James John Primus was born July 8, 1928, in Melrose, Minnesota to Anthony and Clotilda (Wander) Primus. He served in the Naval Air Force near the end of World War II. He was united in marriage to Florence "Flossie" Meier on May 10, 1948. Flossie died on November 30, 1992, after a battle with cancer. Jim was united to Bernice (Koopmeiners) Kluempke on August 5, 1995, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose. He was a bartender at Ackie's Pioneer Inn in Freeport and retired after 54 years. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose and the American Legion in Albany. Jim was well known for his woodworking, bartending, and his humor.
Survivors include his wife, Bernice Primus of Melrose; children, Jean (Mike) Hellermann of Melrose, Arlene Primus of Minneapolis, and Lyla (Ken) Olafson of Oak Grove; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; step-children, Arlene (Urban) Beuning of St. Rosa, Michael (Judy) Kluempke of Richmond, Kentucky, Gary (Bonnie) Kluempke of Flower Mound, Texas, Don (Sharon) Kluempke of Melrose, Mary Kay (Kluempke) Solarz and Gerard Huhne of Albany, Carol (Mark) Stangler of St. Cloud, and Amy (Ken) Stangler of Blaine; 18 step- grandchildren and 5 step-great-grandchildren; brother, Brother George Primus of St. John's Collegeville; and sisters, Sister Colette Primus of St. Cloud and Mary Ann (Howard) Hinnerichs of White Bear Lake.
Jim was preceded in death by his first wife, Flossie Primus; parents; brothers and sisters, Lorraine Revermann, Don Primus, Mae Rose Baltes, Roy Primus, and Verona Meyer; and step-son, Hermie Kluempke.
Events
| Birth | July 8, 1928 | Melrose, Stearns Co., MN | |||
| Marriage | May 10, 1948 | Florence Meyer | |||
| Marriage | August 5, 1995 | Bernice Koopmeiners | |||
| Death | August 14, 2012 | Melrose, Stearns, Minnesota, USA |
Families
| Spouse | Florence Meyer (1926 - 1992) |
| Child | Jean Primus |
| Child | Lyla Primus |
| Child | Arlene Primus |
| Spouse | Bernice Koopmeiners |
| Father | Anthony Primus (1895 - 1953) |
| Mother | Clothilda C. Wander (1897 - 1992) |
| Sibling | Lorraine Primus (1918 - 1972) |
| Sibling | Donald J. Primus (1919 - 1991) |
| Sibling | Verona C. Primus (1921 - 2004) |
| Sibling | Mae Rose Primus (1922 - 1990) |
| Sibling | Leroy Nicholas Primus (1924 - 2003) |
| Sibling | George OSB Primus |
| Sibling | Mary Ann Primus |
| Sibling | Colette OSB Primus Sr. |