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Jim Engelkes was born on September 1, 1944, on a farm near Dundee, Minnesota to Engelke “Bill” and Violet Boots Engelkes. The family later moved to a farm near Lime Creek, MN and Jim attended Fulda School. Jim served in the Minnesota National Guard from 1963 to 1966. On June 20, 1975, he and Diane Lucker were married in Avoca, MN. Following their marriage, they made their home in Slayton and Jim worked for Rupp Construction, Reker Construction and the Murray County Highway Department operating heavy equipment. Jim also did work for Ransom and Wilmont Townships in Nobles County. Jim passed away at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD on Thursday, May 12, 2022, at the age of 77. He was a member of the Avoca American Legion Post. Jim enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, camping, cleaning and polishing his vehicles, tinkering or fixing things, snowmobiling, watching Nascar-rooting for anyone driving a Ford, and watching football especially the Packers.
Survivors include his wife, Diane Engelkes of Slayton, MN, two children and their spouses, Travis and Renae Engelkes of Clear Lake SD, and Kari and Nolan Hybbert of Ghent, MN, four grandchildren, Erin and Morgan Engelkes, and Alex and Leah Hybbert, eight siblings and their spouses, Fannie Sandhurst, Andy and Marlys Engelkes, Mary Daniels, Ernest Engelkes, Viola and Marvin Storm, Alice Vosberg, Dick and Carol Engelkes, and Carol and Gary Knapp, two brothers-in-law, Garry Dierks and Brian Lucker and his wife, Jan and several nieces and nephews and their families. He is preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, Clarence and Evelyn Lucker, three brothers-in-law, Harold Sandhurst, Darwin Vosberg, and James Daniels, two sisters-in-law, Betty Engelkes, and Mary Dierks.
Funeral services were held at St. Ann’s Church in Slayton, MN on Monday, May 16, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Thien Nguyen officiating. The organist was Judy Andrews. The song leader was Sheila Crowley. The pallbearers were Brad Lucker, Eric Lucker, Mike Dierks, Terry Engelkes, John Engelkes and Gary Sandhurst. Interment was at Slayton Memorial Gardens in Slayton, MN. Military honors accorded by the Avoca American Legion Post. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Avera Morningside Heights in Marshall, MN or to The Prairie Heart Guest House in Sioux Falls, SD.
Visitation was on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at St. Ann’s Church in Slayton from 4-6 p.m. also one hour prior to the services at the church on Monday. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton was entrusted with arrangements. To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome. com.
