December 6, 1945 – October 19, 2021

A memorial service for James “Jim” Heard, 75, of Edgerton was held Friday, October 22, 2021; 2:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Edgerton, with Pastor Mark Groen officiating.

Music was provided by organist Diane Westenberg; special music In The Garden by Alecia Heard and Madison Heard. The congregation sang Scars, Give Me To Jesus, Holy Holy, and Have You Ever Seen The Rain.

Pallbearers were all his grandchildren.

James Dale Heard was born on December 6, 1945. He was the firstborn of Roy and Bernice (Jasper) Heard. He was raised on a farm and learned hard work driving tractor and trucks at an early age.

He attended country school in Ruthton where he played football. He attended high school in Pipestone, Minn. He served in the National Guard from 1963-1967.

He married Sara Oldemeyer on November 13, 1965. He and Sara lived in California for a few years where he was a trucker. There they had 3 children, Tammy, Jim, and Jason. They decided to return to Minnesota to raise their family. They resided in Pipestone until Jim had a serious accident on their acreage. He recovered and went to school for accounting. He had his own tax business in Edgerton for over 30 years. He also sold real estate and insurance. When he wasn’t busy with taxes, he enjoyed helping his brother-in-law, John, on the farm. He also enjoyed driving road grader for Hulstein Excavating for many years. Before illnesses caused him to slow down, he was an avid fisherman, enjoying trips to the Missouri River and Canada. He also spent years deer hunting with his children and grandchildren. He loved to motorcycle and camp. He enjoyed going to Arizona for a couple of winters pulling the camper.

He was a member of First Reformed Church where he served as a deacon, elder, and did the books for many years. Jim and Sara then became members of the First Presbyterian Church in Edgerton. Jim enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s activities and was always looking forward to seeing his great-grandchildren.

Jim died Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, at Edgebrook Care Center.

He is survived by his wife, Sara, of Edgerton; his daughter, Tammy (Randy) Bolt; two sons, Jim, and Jason (Kelly) Heard; his grandchildren, Jason and Evan Bolt, Jake Heard, Kori Rodewald, Alex, Isaac (Alecia), and Madison Heard; his great-grandchildren, AJ, Jett, and Noah; his siblings, Mary (Gary) Vander Top, Nancy (Randy) Janssen, Dan (Connie) Heard, sister-in-law Kathy Heard. He is also survived by his in-laws, John (Judy) Oldemeyer, Deb (Rick) Axelson, and Rae (Randi) Vermeal; many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles; and his loving dog Harley.

He is preceded in death by his parents Roy and Bernice, brothers Jerry and Larry, niece Leslie Weidenbacher, nephew Brian Van Nieuwenhuyzen, his parents-in-law David and Elizabeth Oldemeyer, sister-in-law Nancy Oldemeyer, and great-grandson, Charles John (CJ) Rodewald.