James Edward Huber

Thursday, November 2, 2017 4:51 pm

James Edward Huber, 83, of Calmar, died Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017. Mass of Christian Burial was at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar, with Rev. Robert Gross officiating. Organist was Jeanette Dietzenbach. Cantor was Brandi Hemesath. The St. Aloysius Choir sang. Hymns were “Ave Maria” (Elise Kesten); “Be Not Afraid,” “You are Mine.” Communion: I am The Bread of Life; Communion Reflection: Goin Home by Benjamin Huber; Recessional: Canticle of the Sun. Lectors were Bethany Tamez, Breanne Knezevic and Carlee Shimek. Mass servers were Maddy Jansen, Logan Hageman and Kaden Bullerman. Eucharistic ministers were Lindsey Moeller, Karen Shimek and Denise Huber. Offertory gift bearers were Grace Moeller, Charlie Breza and Madeline Breza. Casket bearers were Michael Schwan, Zachary Schwan, Michael Breza, Jordan Breza, Luke Huber, Noah Huber, Charlie Breza, David Shimek and Benjamin Huber. Interment was at St. Aloysius Catholic Cemetery, Calmar. Arrangements were handled by Schluter-Balik Funeral Home, Calmar.

James Huber was born July 8, 1934. He was the son of Benjamin and Angela (Bockman) Huber of Calmar. He graduated from Calmar High School in 1953. Jim married Sharon Stortz Aug. 21, 1962, at St. Agnes of Plymouth Rock Catholic Church near Burr Oak. He lived on the family farm in Calmar all his life. He helped his Dad working the farm and fields with the horses, Pat and Dan, and later his John Deere 60, Ford 8N and 14T balers. A colt was given to him as a kid and he trained Boots to sit, lie down, shake hands and kiss on the cheek. He was able to share Boots for 25 years, and all the fun imaginable on the farm with his many nieces and nephews and his own children. In 1955 he began working for the United States Postal Service. He worked at the Calmar, Rochester and Decorah Post Offices before retiring in 1999 after 44 years of service. During retirement he enjoyed going to farm auctions and volunteering on the Calmar Library Board and The Greater Area Food Pantry. As a lifelong member of St. Aloysius church, he provided service as sacristan, eucharistic minister and pastoral council member. He was proud to have served over 20 years, holding various offices, with the Catholic Order of Foresters (COF) at the local and state levels and a dedicated COF member for 50-plus years. He looked forward to his high school class reunions and any time he could get in a game of cards with the card club friends, his siblings or his kids/grandkids. He loved watching his grandchildren grow and experience many successes in their lives. If you wanted to see his blue eyes sparkle, just bring over one of the great-grandchildren! Jim was a devoted husband, dedicated father, grandfather, brother and uncle.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sharon; five children: Tim (Denise) Huber, Hudson; Barb (Jeff) Breza, Winona, Minn.; Brenda (Jim) Schwan, Festina; Karla Moeller, Colleyville, Texsas; Karen (Kirk) Shimek, Trempealeau, Wis.; 17 grandchildren: Lora (Benson) Hargens, Breanne (Sam) Knezevic, Elise (Stephen) Kesten, Benjamin, Luke, and Noah Huber; Michael, Jordan, Charlie, and Madeline Breza; Michael (Melissa) Schwan, Bethany (J.R.) Tamez, Zachary Schwan, Lindsey and Grace Moeller, David and Carlee Shimek; nine great-grandchildren: Parker Hargens, Bernadette Kesten, Paxton, Cayden, and Zander Breza, Mia Breza, Hudson and Ava Schwan, and Rhettley Schwan; sisters, Mary Ellen (Willard) Holthaus and Judy (Darrell) Westby; in-laws: Shirley Whalen, Earline and Ed Walters, Gary and Bev Stortz, Craig and Julene Stortz.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Angela (Bockman) Huber; his sisters and brothers-in-law: Ann and Roy Koller, Estelle and Jim Kish, Angela Martin, Seraphia and Don Duehr, Lorraine and Gene Doubek and Larry Whalen; his brothers, John Benjamin Huber (in infancy) and Bill Elpert; his birth mother, Margaret (Louis) Elpert, and father and mother-in-law, Erlin and Agnes Stortz.