Dr. James D. Guptill

Dr. James D. Guptill was born and raised in Hinckley, Minnesota where he attended school and graduated high school in 1956. He became acquainted with the dentist in Hinckley and decided he would like to do dentistry for a living.

After working in Minneapolis the first summer, he decided to join the United States Navy, where he would become a dental technician. After three years, he immediately entered the University of Minnesota and received his Bachelor of Science Degree and then was accepted into dental school. In 1965, he graduated with a D.D.S. degree. He married Pat Lyseth (also from Hinckley, class of 1958) in December 1960. Since there was not a GI Bill during those peace time years the two of them worked and paid the tuition as it came due.

Joni (1962) and Jim (1965) were born during dental school years. They were able to live in WWII barracks unit on Como Avenue with low rent for students. They were blessed with Jeanne in 1968 (born in Rush City aided by Dr. Luther Nelson and Brownie Dahlstrom, registered nurse).

Dr. John Olson invited Jim to work with him in Rush City, where he bought the practice after four years. Dr. Guptill was a member of the Minnesota Dental Association and was invited into the Minnesota Gold Foil Academy, the Minnesota Restorative Academy, American Academy of Operative Dentistry and the American Academy of Gold Foil Operators. He was asked to teach on the clinic floor at the U of M Dental School and became an assistant professor. He taught one day a week for 23 years. Dr. Guptill retired from his dentistry practice December 31, 2001. He had many wonderful people to work with, Maddy LesSard, Inez Engler, Nancy Knackstedt, Julie Carlson, Julie Rice, Cheryl Scheff, Wendy Beachem, Mandy Fornengo, Joan Hischer, and Pat Guptill. 

While in Rush City he was a charter member of Rush City Lions (still a member) and held many offices. He received the first Melvin Jones award given by the Rush City Lions. He was a member of the First Lutheran Church council, was treasurer, and also taught Sunday school.

He enjoyed hobby farming, flying his plane and fishing in Canada with family and friends. He and Pat took all of their children and grandchildren on fishing trips and are still doing so, loving every minute of it. Their retirement years found them in Canada in the summers and Florida in the winters.

Dr. Guptill is survived by his wife Pat Guptill of Rush City; children Joni (Dan) Smith of Pine City, Jim (Leandra) Guptill of Rush City, Jeanne (Gary) Freer of North Branch; grandchildren Tanner Konkler, Kyle Konkler, Brandon (Lindsay) Guptill, Jamie Guptill, Josh Guptill, Danielle (Andrea) Smith, Andrea (Devin) Harvieux; great-grandchildren Abel, Bentley, Sawyer Harvieux; sister Dianne (Alden) Rabe of Lakeville; sister-in-law Florence Lyseth of Hinckley; favorite cousin/brother Pete Carrigan of Ramsey; many nieces, nephews and cousins.  

He was preceded in death by his parents Alvin and Agnes Guptill; siblings Ethel (John) Shober, Wally (Donna) Guptill; granddaughter Maria Smith; 3 nieces and 3 nephews.

Pastor Manda Truchinski will officiate funeral services for Dr. James Guptill: 11 AM; Saturday (9/26) at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Rush City with one hour visitation prior to the service.

Military honors will be provided by the Grothe-Jacobson VFW Post #6692, the Rush City American Legion Post #93 and the U. S. Navy honors group. Please join the family for a luncheon in the church fellowship hall following military honors which will take place outside the church.

Dr. Guptill will be interred in the Lutheran Memorial Cemetery of Hinckley, MN. at a later date.

Funeral arrangements for are entrusted to the: Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City ~ Olson Chapel 
FuneralAndCremationService.com