Uncle James

This past week my Uncle James passed away into heaven. He fell outside his home while doing some work. Cathy, Liam, Owen, and I trudged up to Hutchinson, MN with my parents to attend the funeral. It is always good to see family, most of whom I don't see other than every couple years, but unfortunate it had to be at a funeral. It puts things into perspective, as funerals usually do.

James Heikes (1941 - 2009)
James “Jim” Joseph Heikes, 67

Jim Heikes, 67, of Hutchinson, died on March 28, 2009 at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minn. after falling while working outside his Hutchinson home.

James “Jim” Joseph Heikes was born June 19, 1941, in Austin, the son of Joe and Rose (Goetsch) Heikes. He attended Martin Luther High School in New Ulm, Minn.

On June 21, 1961, Jim married Carole Eblen. Jim and Carole are the parents of five children: Kim, Kevin, Kandi, Kari and Keith. Jim and Carole and their family moved a number of times throughout the first 20 years of their marriage and resided in St. James, Austin and Albert Lea, Minn.; Alliance, Ohio; Webster City, Iowa and Rogers, Minn., before they settled in Hutchinson, Minn. in 1980. They shared nearly 48 years of marriage. During the majority of his life, Jim was self-employed. When the family moved to Hutchinson, Jim and Carole purchased the Hardware Hank store, previously located at 105 Washington Street. After selling the store, the two built a roller skating rink, Minnesota Fun, on Highway 7. After closing the roller rink, Jim and his son, Kevin, entered into the furniture business with the original Factory Direct Furniture going into the building. Jim retired in 1995, and rented the building out. In 2007, Jim and his two sons, Kevin and Keith, ventured into the furniture business and Factory Direct Furniture returned to Hutchinson. Jim's hobbies included farming, auction sales, and collecting tractors - primarily John Deere items. His favorite activity, however, was the time he spent with his 8 beautiful grandchildren.

Jim is survived by his wife, Carole Heikes, Hutchinson, Minn.; five children, Kim Heikes, Hutchinson, Kevin (Gloriann) Heikes, Hutchinson, Kandi Kath, Otsego, Kari (Steve) Rettig, Hutchinson, Keith Heikes (fiancée, Tess Chiotti), Hutchinson; eight grandchildren, Kyle, Alison, Katelyn, Andrew, Alexander, Peyton, Anthony and Amanda; mother, Rose Heikes, Clara City, Minn.; sisters, Myrtiss (Norm) Riediger, Willmar, Minn., Ruth (Ray) Dusseau, Milwaukee, Wis.; nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends. Jim is preceded in death by his father, Joe Heikes; and brother-in-law, Elmer Weckwerth.

A Celebration of Life was held at 1 p.m., at Peace Lutheran Church, Hutchinson, on Thursday, April 2, 2009, with Pastor Gerhard Bode officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery. Arrangements were made with the Dobratz-Hantge Chapel in Hutchinson. Online Condolences may be directed to www.hantge.com. Memorials may be made to the Peace Lutheran Church Fill This House Fund.