James A. Reisch

James Allen Reisch was born on September 20, 1945 to Marcel Walter and Eileen (Magnuson) Reisch in Mitchell, SD. He was raised in Howard, SD, and attended St. Agatha Catholic School. Jim then enlisted into the United States Marines where he was stationed in San Diego, CA. He then returned to South Dakota and began driving truck hauling gravel for a company that was then a part of constructing Interstate 90. Jim was set up on a date with a girl by the name of Sandy Morrison and on December 22, 1967, the couple was married at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne, MN. They first made their home in St. Charles, IL, where Jim worked as an electrician. After a time, they returned to Luverne and Jim went to work for the City of Luverne. In 1974 he began driving truck for Don Hubbling. A short time later, Jim purchased a 1979 White-Freightliner Truck and leased the truck to different companies. In 1993, he became half-owner of R & R Trucking. In 2013, Jim and his son, Nick, started Reisch Trucking. On Tuesday, July 17, 2018, Jim died under hospice care, surrounded by his family at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne at the age of 72 years.

Jim was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church. He enjoyed racing, tractor pulling, cooking, being around his grandchildren and getting his girls fired up. He was well known for telling his trucking stories and also enjoyed having a toddy or two at the end of the day. Throughout his life, Jim had a hard work ethic; a trait that he passed on to his children. He will also be remembered for his generosity and how he lived life – work hard and play hard.

Jim is survived by his wife, Sandy; seven children, Kim (Ferlin) VanderPoel of Harrisburg, SD, Jody (Sharla) Reisch of Luverne, Tammy (Mike) Schaap of Leota, MN, Bobbi (Mert) Kracht, Annie (Jamie) Bonnett, Nick Reisch, and Josh Reisch (friend, Dawn Hadler), all of Luverne; 23 grandchildren, Kalina VanderPoel (Steven Althoff), Brett (Marissa) VanderPoel, Kelsey VanderPoel, Jonathon and Andrew Reisch, Amanda, Wyatt and Mitchell Schaap, Trevor, Jackson, Kacie, Cade, Allie and Caleb Kracht, Payne, Brody and Morgan Bonnett, Madison, Charles and Rocco Reisch, and Dylan, Gavin and Jordyn Reisch; four great-grandchildren, Apollo Althoff, Stella and Kane VanderPoel, and Aiden Skyberg; ten siblings, Barb (Gary) Mensen of Lubbock, TX, Pat (Cliff) Roush of Liberty, MO, Peggy (Bob) Klinsing of Ihlen, MN, Kelly Richmond of Raymore, MO, Mike (Kathy) Reisch of Sioux Falls, SD, Mary Jo (Gale) Benson of Sioux Falls, Terry (Lou) Reisch of Luverne, Michelle Rozeboom of Garretson, SD, Jerry (Christy) Reisch of Luverne, and Paula (Kevin) Spykerboer of Rock Rapids, IA; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marcel and Eileen Reisch.