James Joseph Himmelspach

The funeral service will be live streamed at:  https://www.youtube.com/live/Id5S54cgylQ?feature=share

James Joseph Himmelspach entered eternal life on July 26, at CentraCare Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.  A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, August 25, at 11:00 AM at Unity Christian Reformed Church in Prinsburg.  Interment will be at Cloverleaf Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors provided by the Willmar American Legion Post #167. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Raymond American Legion Post #420, 604 3rd Ave S. Raymond, MN  56282.  Arrangements are with the Tri-County Funeral Home in Prinsburg.  www.tricountyfuneral.com

Jim was the fourth son of Joseph F & Monica (Immel) Himmelspach born on November 16,1938, in Oliver County, ND. Jim grew up on the family farm, enjoying life while also learning the lessons of working hard.  He attended a one room school in rural Oliver County through 8th grade.  At the age of 17, he convinced his parents (because he wasn’t 18) to sign approval for him to join the U.S. Air Force. Jim served his country proudly from 1956 to his honorable discharge in January of 1960.  After his discharge, he drove truck for various businesses in the Bismarck/Mandan, ND area.  He married Marilyn Freidig in 1961 and from this marriage came two children, Wanda and Greg.  Jim and Marilyn moved to Willmar, MN where Jim worked for the Chevrolet garage in Willmar.  This marriage ended in divorce.   Jim found long term employment with Southwest Sugar Beet Association which he retired from after 20 years.  In 1998, Jim married Betty Seffens and they made their home south of Raymond prior to Prinsburg.  In his retirement years, they enjoyed wintering in Texas a few years. His best days were fishing. To Jim, “even a bad day of fishing is better than a good day of work”. 

Jim is survived by his wife, Betty; his daughter, Wanda (John) Birkland of Bothell, WA; grandchildren, Rachel Birkland and Brittney (Brandon) Heiser; great grandchildren, Caden Birkland and Cameron Heiser; his son, Greg (Sheri) Himmelspach of Spokane, WA; step grandchildren, Derek (Reilly) Sirek and Lindsey (Thomas) VanCamp; step great grandchildren, Harper & Everett Sirek and Belle & Flynn VanCamp; siblings, Darlene (Ray) Kautzman of Mandan, ND and Deloris Nordaby of Everett, WA.  Also surviving are In-laws, Kathy Himmelspach, Leona Himmelspach, Vangie Himmelspach; mother of his children, Marilyn Himmelspach; stepchildren, Cole Allred, Kim (Matt) Gassler and Sandy (Jennifer) Allred; step granddaughter, Alicia Allred, besides many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Frank, Clemens and Thomas Himmelspach; brother-in-law, Ted Nordaby; and stepson, Toby Allred.

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