James Eugene Wheeler

James "Jim" Eugene Wheeler quietly passed away on August 7th, 2024, at a wizened 94 years of age. Jim was born on June 13th, 1930, to Harry and Eugenie Wheeler in Breckenridge, MN. He was their eldest child, and as their sole son, would be joined by four sisters. At a young age, Jim showed his dedication to a hard day's work and making an honest living by laboring alongside an uncle, helping him in his construction company. Driving tractors and trucks long before the legal age, Jim quickly developed a deep affinity for the inner workings of equipment. This fondness was parlayed into his personal life when, upon offering Helen Anderson a ride on his motorcycle, he set into motion a relationship which would blossom into marriage and children.  Helen, barely eighteen at the time, accepted Jim's hand in marriage on June 20th, 1951. They continued to reside in Breckenridge where they welcomed their first son, James Edward, in 1952. Their sole daughter, Janelle Kay, was welcomed into the family in 1954. In 1955, the growing family moved to a farm in Sebeka, MN, where Jim planned to work the land. Their third child, Jeffrey Allan, was born in 1958 in Park Rapids, MN.  Jim farmed for a short time, but eventually rented their land and went to work for M&H Chevrolet. After nearly ten years, he switched gears - and industries, into road construction - signing on with Dunnicks Brothers, paving the way to his retirement in 1995. Jim and Helen eased into their golden years by purchasing a winter home in Phoenix, Arizona, near their siblings, their daughter, and grandchildren. In the summers, they returned to the farm where dad operated a retirement business, Wheeler's Stump Removal. He also spent time restoring Allis-Chalmers tractors and with the assistance of his son, Jim, restoring a variety of other vehicles. One of his most cherished projects was his 1952 Chevrolet pickup truck which he had lovingly restored. He amiably participated in the local parades, pulling his stump grinder to advertise his business, often with Helen beside him and his local grandchildren in the back tossing candy to the bystanders. If he was not rebuilding something he was mowing his lawn, extending the yard a little bit more each time. His final ride on his mower was at the ripe age of 89. He planned each of his days around his trips to the local restaurant for breakfast and again for afternoon coffee.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Marilyn in 2004, his sister Joann in 2019, and his wife Helen in February of 2014. He remained on the farm he loved, wintering in Arizona until July of 2019, at which point he returned to and remained in Minnesota, year-round. He was also preceded in death by their son, James Edward, in 2021.

Jim is survived by his sisters, Barbara Floyd and Linda (John) Torres; daughter, Janelle Karlson (Charles), and son Jeffrey (Judy) Wheeler; grandchildren, Heather (Richard) Johnston, Brandon (Erin) Bettis, Holly Bettis, Tyler (Alisha) Wheeler, Courtney (Cole) Yungbauer, Nicole Wheeler, and Kristy (Scott) Wisniewski; and great-grandchildren, Whitney and Kennedy Bettis, Lily, Isaiah, and Allyson Wheeler, Cadence Yungbauer, and Madilyn and Landen Wisniewski.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider donating to Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, in his son Jim's name.

Arrangements are entrusted to Wevley Funeral Home 107 1st St NE Sebeka , MN Viewing will be Friday , August 16 ,2024 from 9 AM to 11 AM.  Services will follow at 11AM with Interment immediately following at Sebeka Westside Cemetery.