James Heitke

James F. Heitke, age 77, passed away on Tuesday, August 19, 2024, at his home in Redwood Falls. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Nelson-Hillestad Funeral Home in Redwood Falls with burial at a later date in the Salem Cemetery in Paynesville, Minnesota. Visitation will be held one hour prior to his service, from 1:00 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. also at the Nelson-Hillestad Funeral Home. 

The Nelson-Hillestad Funeral and Cremation Service of Morgan and Redwood Falls are in charge of the arrangements. E-mail condolences may be sent via www.nelson-hillestad.com. 

James Fredrick Heitke, son of Frederick and Jean (Merrick) Heitke was born on July 7, 1947 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

James “Jimmy” worked with the Redwood County DAC in 1974, which later became Service Enterprises, Inc. He worked in the DAC’s furniture shop and with chore services, then became Service Enterprises he worked on several work crews including Seaforth Salvage, Prime Manufacturing and at the Recycling Center. Perfect fits for a man who loved machines and engines. In his later years he attended the SEI Leisure Program until he retired in 2020.

Jimmy was a kindhearted loving man. He enjoyed children, animals, the elderly, Johnny Cash music, farming and most of all the County Fair and the Minnesota State Fair. His inquisitive mind was curious about how the generators powered the Fairs and how things worked. Jimmy enjoyed driving in the country naming all the farm equipment, drawing Ferris wheels, following in his father’s footsteps as a John Deere Dealer, Jimmy enjoyed collecting John Deere items. Jimmy enjoyed spending time with his Family during the Holidays, eating chicken and mashed potatoes with Dad was a favorite. Jimmy touched the lives of many!

Blessed be his memory.