Archived Services

James "Jim" Wheeler
04-16-2011

James Francis Wheeler was born near Montrose, SD on September 22, 1930 to Leo and Florence (Gustaf) Wheeler. He died peacefully on April 16th, 2011 at the Sioux Falls Veterans Administration Medical Center. Jim graduated from Montrose High School in 1949 and enlisted in the United States Navy. He was honorably discharged in September of 1951. He attended the University of South Dakota and graduated from DeForest Institute of Chicago. Jim was active in Real Estate appraising and sales in Sioux Falls for many years beginning in 1960. In 1969 he went to work for SD Department of Transportation Right-of-Way Division until his retirement in 1993. He was a lifetime member and Past Commander of American Legion Post #15 and a lifetime member of the Elks. He served as the past Secretary Treasurer and President of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers. Jim married Connie Sommers on June 17, 1954. They had two daughters and one son, Jean (Gary) Stokke of Sioux Falls, SD, Teri (Quentin) Everson of Sioux Falls, SD, Stephen (Tammy) Wheeler of Mitchell, SD. Two Grandchildren, Matthew (Sarah) Stokke of Sioux Falls, SD and Sean Stokke of Sioux Falls, SD. Two Great Grandchildren, Jadelynn and Derek Stokke of Sioux Falls. Jim married Mary L Wilson (Klicker) on December 28, 1973 in Sioux Falls. Mary cared for Jim in their home following a stroke in May of 1998. Grateful for having shared his life is his wife Mary, his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and his Step-children, Bob Wilson of Sioux Falls, SD, Mary Jean (Mike) Andrea of Pukwana, SD, Bill Wilson of Olathe, KS and Kathleen (Dan) Lewin of West Fargo, ND. He had 11 Step Grandchildren Eric Ness, Omaha, NE Angelia Froelich, La Vista, NE, Sam Wilson, Sioux Falls, SD, Amanda Wilson, Sioux Falls, SD, Kristi Ordanes, Houston, TX, Andrea Matzen, Sioux Falls, SD, Jentry Phelan, Superior, CO, Nick Wilson, Manhattan, KS, Derrick Lewin, Sioux Falls, SD, Tyler Lewin, Fargo, ND. Melissa (David) Jones, Sioux Falls, SD, Erik Everson, Charlotte, NC. He also had 10 Step-Great Grandchildren. One brother, Bill (Kathy) Wheeler of Sequim, WA a Sister-in Law, Bonnie Wheeler, ST. Paul, MN and one Aunt, Blanche Ideker of Humboldt, SD. He had many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Leo and Florence, three brothers, Patrick Wheeler, Bob Wheeler and Dan Wheeler and most recently his uncle Marion Wheeler. Visitation with the family will be held on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at Barnett-Lewis Funeral Home from 5 to 8 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sioux Falls, SD at 10:30 A.M. with a committal following at Hills of Rest Cemetery.