Jean Pierre Arretche

Jean Pierre (JP) Arretche of Sebeka, Minnesota, died January 11, 2014, at the age of 84. He was born December 12, 1929, to Joachim and Catherine Arretche, near the village of Arneguy in the Basque Pyrenees region of France. Jean Pierre was the oldest boy in a family of 12, and he emigrated from France to California in 1949. He worked at various jobs, saving his earnings until he could buy his first flock of sheep, a profession he enjoyed his entire lifetime. JP married Kathryn Hepokoski on December 31, 1964, in Pomona, California. In 1974 they moved to Minnesota, settling on their family farm near Nimrod. JP continued to raise sheep and farm until declining health forced his retirement during the past year. JP became an American citizen in 1968 but was always proud of his Basque roots. He loved to dance, sing, laugh, tell stories, reminisce and to visit with everyone he met. JP is survived by his wife of 49 years, Kathy; son Tim (Stella) Arretche and their daughter, Julie, of Culver City, California; daughter Christine (Calvin) Uhl and their children, Jacob and Katie, of Osakis, Minnesota; daughter Linda Cadle and her daughter, Shawna, of California; six brothers: Frank of Wadena, Minnesota, Laurent and Bernard of California, and Pierre, Jean, and Arnaud of France; five sisters: Marie, Dominica, Pascaline, Jeanette, and Catherine, all in France. A memorial to celebrate Jean Pierre’s life will be held in the spring.