James “Jim” Hruska

Friday, July 14, 2017 9:02 pm

James “Jim” Hruska, 77, of Protivin, passed away Sunday, July 9, 2017, at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah. Mass of Christian Burial is at 11 a.m. Friday, July 14, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin, with Father Kyle Digmann presiding. Burial is in Holy Trinity Cemetery Protivin. Visitation is from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Friday, July 14, at the Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home in Protivin.

James S. Hruska was born May 17, 1940, in Howard County, the son of August F. and Emma (Zajicek) Hruska. He attended country school a few blocks from his home and graduated from Cresco Public High School in 1958. He entered the US Army Sept. 9, 1963, and was honorably discharged Aug. 31, 1969. He was employed at Frudden Lumber Company in Protivin from 1958 to 1988, and at Decorah Building Supply from 1989 to 2007.

He was united in marriage to Margaret Ann Pecinovsky Nov. 28, 1970, at Holy Trinity Church, Protivin.

Jim has been a member of American Legion Post 605 Protivin. This year he was honored as a 50-year continuous member. Jim was a member of Howard Co. Conservation board and Prairie’s Edge Foundation; he was past American Legion adjutant, service officer, and commander; was with First Responders and the Fire Dept., and Legion Firing Squad. He started and maintained a bluebird trail of 70 nest boxes. Other hobbies include trap shooting, gun-smithing, collecting rocks, antiquing, collecting tobacco and other tins, beer glasses, and M & M dispensers.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret, of Protivin; three sisters: Marcella Burke, Bea Miller, Irene (Jerry) Kirschbaum; brother-in-law, Roger Pecinovsky; sisters-in-law, Marilyn (Mark) Quandahl and Madonna (Mike) Lasack; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, August and Emma Hruska; sister, Judy, in infancy; sister, Jane Voyek; brothers-in-law: Matt Miller, Larry Voyek and Charles Burke; nephew, Tom Voyek; his mother and father-in-law, William and Evelyn Pecinovsky; nephew, Tom Quandahl; and niece, LeAnn Pecinovsky.
Online condolences may be left at Hindthudekfuneralhomes.com.