James Russell Heisler

James Russell Heisler, son of John and Esther (Glade) Heisler, was born on May 21, 1943, at Sibley, Iowa.  On June 13, 1943, Jim was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church near Ocheyedan, IA.  He was confirmed on April 14, 1957, at Zion Lutheran Church in Ayrshire, IA.

     He attended elementary school in Ocheyedan, IA until the fourth grade when his family moved into the Gillett Grove, IA community.  He graduated as salutatorian of his class in 1961 from Gillett Grove High School.  He graduated from Estherville Jr. College in 1963 and graduated from Mankato State Teachers College in 1965.

     On August 15, 1964, Jim married Beverly Alger at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Mankato, MN.  Four children were blessed to this union: Michelle, Brian, Melissa, and Jennifer.

     Jim taught school for five years at Lincoln Central-Gruver-Dolliver and at Ruthven-Ayrshire for 29 years.  He taught science and also coached softball, volleyball and girls basketball.  After retiring from teaching he worked for a period of time at Fareway, Eatons and Ace Hardware.  Jim was active in various church activities in both Zion Lutheran Church in Ruthven and Community United Methodist Church in Gillett Grove.  He enjoyed watching his kids and later his grandkids in various activities in church, school and community.  Jim was an avid reader especially of Louis Lamour books and various topics on the internet.  In later years he spent much time watching TV, especially Iowa colleges playing ball.  In the summertime Jim really enjoyed mowing the lawn.

     Jim passed away at the Ruthven Community Care Center on October 27, 2020 in Ruthven, IA after being a resident there for one and a half years.

     Jim was preceded in death by his son, Brian; his parents; his brother, Philip; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Orrin and Ingrie Alger; his brother-in-law, Carl Brechler and his brother-in-law, Wayne Alger.

     Jim is survived by his wife, Beverly Heisler, Webb, IA; his daughter, Michelle (Bob) Gibson, Webb, IA, grandsons, Calvin Gibson (friend Nellie) and Brandon (Morgan) Gibson; his daughter-in-law, Tonya Heisler, Emmetsburg, IA, granddaughters, Megan Heisler (friend Emily), Mount Sherman, KY and Madison Heisler, Emmetsburg, IA; his daughter, Melissa (Alfredo) Merida, Linn Grove, IA, grandchildren, Kimberlee Merida, Conner Merida and Artemio Merida; his daughter, Jennifer (Karl) Laursen, Peterson, IA, granddaughters, Halle Laursen, Natalie Laursen and Kailee Laursen; his sister, Barbara Brechler, Spencer, IA; his sister-in-law, Rhoda Heisler, McHenry, IL; his sister-in-law, Connie (Fred) Peters, Sioux Falls, SD; his brother-in-law, Bill (Jeanette) Alger, Portland, OR; nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, other relatives and friends.

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