Paul “Jim” Zirbes The “Dean Martin” of Minneapolis, Paul James Zirbes, “Jim,” passed away in peace September 27th, surrounded by family, love, and laughter. Proud American, passionate Christian, loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather, Jim had a flare for life. Jim was always a debonair gentleman. Dapper since a teenager, by day he worked for his father in the furniture industry and by night he was part of an act with a group called “The Nighthawks” that appeared on a local TV station in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After getting married to JoAnn Wilging in 1955 and having 5 children by 1962, he took the opportunity to work in Las Vegas as an interior designer for the owner of a furniture store, Otto Gustafson. Otto was also the owner of the Las Vegas Tropicana casino and Summit Banks in Minneapolis-St. Paul. The lights were a little too bright in Las Vegas so Jim returned to Minneapolis to reignite a family life. Jim had two more children with his new wife, Joyce Brusell, making it seven, his lucky number. Jim was noted for throwing golf events, New Year’s Eve parties, dinner parties, and barbecues. Everyone was welcome in his home. Jim never missed a Viking’s home football game throughout the 70s. At the old Met Stadium lot, he, his brother Tom, and father Paul had a school bus, van, and VW Bug, which were transformed with the official purple and gold and sported the Viking’s logo. The family and friends still hold the Viking’s record for the longest tailgate party. It was one continuous week of entertaining friends, family, and football players during the reign of the “Purple People Eaters.” Jim owned furniture, lighting, and bedding retail stores. He was highly respected and successful in his industry. Jim married beautiful, loving wife, Kathryn on December 8, 1979. With their blessed union, Jim had a blended family with eleven children. Married for close to 42 years, their love was truest of all.