James John Hoelker

SIOUX CITY -- James "Jim" John Hoelker, 82, died Thursday, April 19, 2012, at home with his sons present.
Services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Immaculate Conception Church, with the Rev. Gerald Feierfeil officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., and a parish vigil service at 7 p.m., at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.
Jim was born July 11,1929 in Anthon, Iowa, to John and Elizabeth (Hildreth) Hoelker. He attended school in Oto and Anthon. He was proud that he passed his GED without taking any additional courses. Jim's first job was at Martin's Department Store in the packaging department. He was also a bus boy there and worked in the boiler room until 1951.
Jim became a bricklayer and held a 50-year Gold Card from the Bricklayers Union. Some of his most memorable buildings include the Central High Annex, East High, Raymond's, buildings at the airbase and buildings in Emerson and Uhling, Neb., and Fort Dodge and Boone, Iowa, specifically the Community College. Following retirement as a bricklayer, he worked for 13 1/2 years as maintenance supervisor at the Badgerow Building for Lou Weinberg. He then worked for six years at R and D Plastics.
He met Jeanette Harris (Thatcher) on Halloween, 1947. They were married on April 7, 1948. Together they raised two sons. Jan died Feb.9, 2005.
Jim had many hobbies. He liked to go camping, fishing, hunting, rock hunting and gem collecting. He created beautiful jewelry from the many rocks he collected. He enjoyed hosting poker games in his home. Jim was president of the Sioux City Gem and Mineral Society for 20 years.
He is survived by his sons, Merritt "Skip" and daughter-in-law Pat Hoelker of Sioux City, and Jerry and daughter-in-law Marlene Hoelker of Sergeant Bluff. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren include John (Melissa) Hoelker and their children, Ben and Will of Dexter, Iowa; Heather (Gary) Spieler and their children, Ellie and Jaiden of Sioux City; Corey Hoelker of Shanghai, China; and Shelby Hoelker of Chicago, Ill. Stepgrandchildren and great-grandchildren include Erin (Chris) Barkema and their children, Reagan and Nathan of Story City, Iowa; Alissa (Mike) Muffley of Lehighton, Pa.; Christopher Grell of Story City; Eric (Teresa) Hartman of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Christopher Hartman from Omaha and his daughter Cameryn and her mother Michelle of North Sioux City, S.D. He is also survived by his brothers, Gary (Verna) Hoelker of Moorpark, Calif., and Tony (Jeri Anne) Hoelker of Sioux City; a sister-in-law, Lois Hoelker of Apple Valley, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jan; a sister, Dorothy Cloud; a brother, Merritt Hoelker; a sister, Betty Ziegler; and a daughter-in-law, Joyce Hoelker.
Pallbearers will be Brad Wooten, Steve Franklin, Gerald Conrad, Bob Olson, Bruce Thomas and Keith Hummel.
Special thanks to Duane and Doree Conkey, Gerald and Gale Conrad and all of the Hospice staff for their loving care.