James Schwartzhoff
James F. Schwartzhoff, 66, of Dorchester died Thursday, February 8, 2018 at his home following a courageous two-year battle with lung disease. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 14 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dorchester with Fr. Mark Osterhaus, Rev. Msgr. Ed Lechtenberg and Deacon Jeff Molitor officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery.
James Francis Schwartzhoff was born February 15, 1951 in Spring Grove, MN, the son of Emmet and Lillian (Doubek) Schwartzhoff. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dorchester. Jim attended elementary school in the Dorchester area and graduated from Waukon High School.
November 23, 1968, he married Joann Kay Waters at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in New Albin. They farmed together in Waterloo Township in rural Dorchester, where they had a dairy herd and raised crops; Jim also did some logging. In 2003, Jim went to work for JB Holland in Decorah as an off-road truck driver, until retiring in 2015. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Jim enjoyed Gator rides, playing cards, especially euchre, and cribbage. He also liked deer hunting and afternoon rides around “the block” looking for deer. Dale Jarrett was his favorite NASCAR driver and the Minnesota Vikings were his favorite sports team.
Survivors include his children: Tim (Michelle) of Dorchester, Jill (Darryl) Sharon of Eitzen, MN, Rhonda (Brian) Bauer of Rushford, MN, Reggie (Brandi) of Dorchester, Ryan (Brooke) of New Albin and Renee (Rob) Stokman of Eitzen, MN; 17 grandchildren: Bret (Jackie) Heffernan, Carson and Conner Schwartzhoff, Jenna, Brady and Rachel Rosendahl, Jake, Jess (Wade) Klein, Jayson, Cambria and Caitlin Bauer, Landry and Tryce Schwartzhoff, and Kaylee, Rylan, Natalee and Alyssa Stokman; one great-grandson, Christian Heffernan; his brother, Don Schwartzhoff; eight sisters: Mary Ward, Aileen (Pat) Delaney, Carol (Bill) Hancock, Judy (Dennis) Byrnes, Mavis Wishcop, Ramona (Gary) Ward, Karen (Dave) Gross and Kathy (Dean) McClenathan; his brothers-in-law: Jim (Karen) McCormick, Jim (Dorothy) Waters, Harold (Carol) Waters, Tom (Mary Jo Nordheim) Waters and Ray (Jess McCallson) Waters; and his sisters-in-law: Mary Fink, Kate (Tony) Urell and Jean (John) Gavin. He is also survived by his very special friend, Sharon Teff of Dorchester.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Joann, who died in 2014; his parents; his father- and mother-in-law, Floyd and Florence Waters; his sisters, Theresa McCormick and Dorie Bulman; his sisters-in-law, Shirley and Vee Schwartzhoff; and his brothers-in-law: Duane Anderson, Donald Ward, Kenny Hammel and Rodney “Occo” Fink.
Honorary casketbearers were all of his card playing buddies and Dr. David Schwartz, who gave Jim an extra two years to spend with his family and friends. Casketbearers were Tom and Ray Waters, John Gavin, Pat Schwartzhoff, Jeff and Greg Byrnes, and Dale and Ed Urell.
Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
