Jim Schwartzhoff

James F. Schwartzhoff, 66, of Dorchester, IA, died Thursday, February 8, 2018, at his home following a courageous two year battle with lung disease. Funeral services will be held Wednesday February 14th, at 11:30 AM 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. Friends may call Tuesday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 3:45 PM scripture service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

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. On November 23, 1968, he married Joann Kay Waters at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in New Albin, IA. 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, IA, 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; brothers-in-law: Jim (Karen) McCormick, Jim (Dorothy) Waters, Harold (Carol) Waters, Tom (Mary Jo Nordheim) Waters, Ray (Jess McCallson) Waters; and 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; father and mother-in-law Floyd and Florence Waters; sisters Theresa McCormick and Dorie Bulman; sisters-in-law Shirley and Vee Schwartzhoff; and brothers-in-law: Duane Anderson, Donald Ward, Kenny Hammel, and Rodney "Occo" Fink.

Honorary casketbearers are 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 are Tom and Ray Waters, John Gavin, Pat Schwartzhoff, Jeff and Greg Byrnes, and Dale and Ed Urell.