James “Jim” H. Kuusisto

1946-2025, B.S. 1968

Jim Kuusisto was born in Hibbing, MN and spent his early years in the Twin Cities. After high school, he attended the U where he graduated with his B.S. in 1968 and from the Medical School in 1972. He did his residency at Regions Hospital and went on to be a co-founder of the Brainerd Medical Center in 1975. He settled with his young family in Merrifield, MN. He worked in Brainerd as a family physician for 42 years.

Jim was an avid hunter and fisherman, spending summers at a cabin in McGregor, MN. He was proud of his Finnish and Serbian heritages and is remembered for his love of singing Christmas carols with gusto and his quick wit and easy laughter. 

Jim was survived by his family: Wife Judy (Gooding) his children Kaari, Karl and Mark and grandchildren Katja and Kelan and his golden retrievers Penny and Poppy.