Obituary: James "Jim" Dennis Hewitt, Sr.

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In memory of

James "Jim" Dennis Hewitt, Sr.

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip at the age of 74

James Dennis “Jim” Hewitt, Sr. was born on March 18, 1938 in Valentine, Nebraska to Hazel Ellen (Thomas) and L.H. Hewitt. Jim went to country school north of Valentine his first seven years. He attended 8th grade in Phoenix, Arizona, after which he returned home and attended Valentine High School, graduating in 1956. After graduation, he attended one year of college at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and then returned home to help his mother run the two ranches after the death of his father.
He married his high school sweetheart Jan Vanderheiden in 1958 and moved to the Philip ranch. To this union were born three children: Tamera, James Dennis, Jr. “J.D.” and Scott.
Jim was a rancher all his life and gained a great deal of knowledge from older mentors in the Philip area. He developed a keen knowledge of cattle that was passed on to his sons and grandsons.
During his adult years, he was a member of: The First Presbyterian Church in Philip; the South Dakota Stockgrowers, also serving on the SD Brand Board; Past Master of Philip Lodge #153 AF & AM; Royal Arch Masons & Yankton Consistory; Past Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star #100 in Philip; Philip Jay-Cees, and the Elks Club in Pierre. Jim served as a Haakon County School Board Member and a State Committeeman of Haakon County Republicans.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Jan of 54 years, three children, Tamera (Steve) Stickler, Omaha, NE; J.D. (Julie) Hewitt, Piedmont, SD; Scott (Ann) Hewitt, Long Beach, CA; nine grandchildren: Stephanie, Brandea, Kara, and Jennifer Stickler, Omaha, NE; Tyson (Shiloh) Hewitt, Opal, SD; Tanner (Lacey) Hewitt, Sheridan, WY; Audra Hewitt, Belle Fourche, SD; Caleb Hewitt, Omaha, NE; Nathan Hewitt, Long Beach, CA; four great-granddaughters: Adessa Jade, Jalee Teal, Samera Jo, and Allie Grace Hewitt, Opal, SD; two sisters, Betty Carr (Jack) of White River and Margie Cunningham of Denver, CO; one brother-in-law, Jim (Cheryl) Vanderheiden of Rochester, MN; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents L.H. & Hazel Hewitt; his father and mother-in-law, S.T. & Hermina Vanderheiden; a sister Marie Lovejoy; three brothers-in-law, Irish Lovejoy and Don & Tom Vanderheiden; and a sister-in-law, Donna Vanderheiden.
Visitation was held from 4-7pm on Sunday, January 27, at Rush Funeral Home in Philip.
Funeral services were held 10:00 am on Monday, January 28, at the United Church in Philip with Pastor Kathy Chesney officiating.
Graveside services were held 4:00 pm CST on Monday, January 28, at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Valentine, Nebraska.
A memorial has been established.
Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 608, Philip, SD 57567.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Monday, January 28, 2013 - 10:00 a.m.
United Church
Philip, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Kathy Chesney
John Kaiser
MUSIC
Barb Bowen - Pianist
Tim Vanderheiden - Vocalist
“Angels Among Us”
“The Old Rugged Cross”
“The Lord’s Prayer”
“On Eagles Wings”
USHERS
Martie Ryno - Jay Lovejoy - Jack Hansen
ACTIVE PALLBEARERS
JD Hewitt - Scott Hewitt - Steve Stickler
Tyson Hewitt - Tanner Hewitt - Caleb Hewitt
Nathan Hewitt - Alan Aanerud - Alex Morton
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Stephanie Stickler - Brandea Stickler - Audra Hewitt
Kara Stickler - Jennifer Stickler
INTERMENT
Monday, January 28, 2013 - 4:00 p.m. CST
Mt. Hope Cemetery
Valentine, Nebraska

Visitation: 4-7pm on Sunday, January 27th, at Rush Funeral Home.
Funeral Services: 10:00 am on Monday, January 28, at the United Church in Philip.
Graveside Services: 4:00 pm CST on Monday, January 28, at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Valentine, Nebraska.

Sign the guestbook

Jan and family. Thinking of you at this difficult time. Jim is free of pain. If you need anything let me know. Linda ~ Linda Stilwell Kadoka (1/24/2013)
Dear Jan and family,
Are so sorry to hear of Jim's death. We will keep you all in our Thoughts and prayers; Hold on tight to Your Christian faith, God will always be there for You! Sincerely, Kathy & Jerry. ~ Kathy S. & Jerry Noteboom 13886 Onammi Ave. Yuma, Az. 85367 (1/24/2013)
Jan & family sorry to learn of Jims passing, will not be able to attend the service but our thoughts will be with you all during this time. Tom &Jane ~ Tom & Jane Aasby Rapid City SD (1/24/2013)
Jan, Tammy, J.D., Scott, and Families: We are so sorry for your great loss. May God hold you in the palm of His hand and comfort you with His love. Love, Mike & Shar ~ Mike & Shar Moses Philip (1/24/2013)
Jan and family, Our prayers are with you at this difficult time. Jim is free and with our Lord and Savior. Take care of yourselves. ~ Ruby and Len Sanftner Kadoka (1/24/2013)
Jan & Family: My deepest sympathies to all of you during this difficult time. Reminisce of all of the great memories that you shared with Jim to comfort you during this time! Love and prayers! ~Wendy ~ Wendy C. Cook Cottonwood, SD (1/24/2013)
SO sorry to hear of Jim's passing. May GOD wrap his arms around you and give you comfort and peace knowing Jim is now with HIM. ~ Janice and Craig Heigh 2500 Lunar Dr Rapid City, SD (1/24/2013)
Jan & Family
May you feel the presence of God in your time of loss. May you remember the happy times and let it ease you thru your time of grieving!
God bless you
David, Michelle, Kelcey, Katie and Lukas Butler ~ Michelle Butler Philip (1/24/2013)
Jan and family - We are sorry to hear of Jim's passing. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you. God Bless you all in the days ahead. ~ Don & Jolene Haynes Philip SD (1/24/2013)
So sorry to hear of you loss. May God hold you in his hands during this most difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. God Bless. ~ Rebecca Formanek-Neville and Bobby Gene Neville Rapid City SD (1/24/2013)
So sorry to hear of Jim's passing. Our sincere sympathy to Jan and family. God Bless ! ~ Mike and Darleen Tysdal Sturgis, SD (1/24/2013)
So sorry to hear of Jim's passing. We had some good times together around Littleburg. Our prayers are with you Jan and family. ~ Dan & Terri Brinda Custer SD 57730 (1/24/2013)
Jan, We are sorry to learn that Jim had passed but glad to know he is no longer in pain and is with our Father now. We are thinking of you and your family. God bless. ~ Ron & Marilyn Gartner Casa Grande AZ (1/24/2013)
Jan, Sorry to hear about the passing of your husband. You are in our thoughts and prayer. God Bless You. ~ Andrew & Linda Eisenbraun Rapid City, SD. (1/24/2013)
Jan and family, so sorry to hear of Jim's death. May God strengthen you and be present to you during this difficult time. ~ Mark Ford St. Cloud, MN (1/24/2013)
Jan and family, we know this has been a long journey for Jim and for you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. ~ Justin and Joyce Wheeler 24208 Fairview Rd. Philip, SD (1/24/2013)
Jan and family, sorry to hear of Jim's death, at least he is no longer in pain and we all know where he is now with the Lord and someday we will all see him again. God Bless you and your family and keep remembering the good times and all the laughs during his lifetime, that always helps in time of sorrow ~ Don and Mary Keyser 3825 Odde Drive RC (1/24/2013)
So sad to hear of Jim's passing. We are thinking of you all at this time and pray you find comfort in your memories and peace in knowing others share your grief. ~ Julie and Gary Nixon (1/24/2013)
Jan, please know that my prayers are with you and yours at this time. God be with you. ~ Shirley Chin Philip (1/24/2013)
Jan & Family,
We are so sorry to hear about Jim's passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless. ~ John and Alisha Oldenberg Philip, SD (1/24/2013)
Rip Jim ~ John & Judy Haivala Spearfish (1/24/2013)
Jan and family, We send our sincere sympathy to you all. So sorry for your loss. ~ Glenn and Rita O'Connell Philip (1/24/2013)
Thinking of you with love and great memories!! Our sympathy to you Jan and your wonderful family! ~ Bob And Jeanne Smith Norfolk Nebraska (1/24/2013)
Dear Jan, Tammy, JD, Scott and families - I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of Jim. I remember him as a kind and gentle soul. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you during this difficult time. God bless. ~ Lynn Seifert Rapid City, SD (1/24/2013)
Jan, thinking of you at this sad time. ~ Norma Deaadrick Platte, SD (1/24/2013)
Jan and family, my sympathys to you and the families.God Bless all of you in this time of grief! ~ Joe Millage Philip (1/24/2013)
Jan, Scott, Ann, and the rest of the family,
We are so sorry for your loss, but rejoice that one day you will be reunited with him again!! We pray that God will wrap you tight in His arms as you grieve. Prayers are being sent your way!! ~ Dan and Sandy Delzell Lincoln, NE (1/24/2013)
Jan and family,
How many years have passed since we were neighbors in Philip! The time just seemed to fly by. No matter how much time we lose, friendships last forever! You and Jim were such good friends and we will always remember how you were there for us when we were just getting started as a newly married couple. It is hard to lose a friend, but much harder to lose a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, etc. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and may the spirit of friendship, as well as all the good memories of past days, wrap their arms around you now and help with the loss you are feeling. Just keep in mind that Jim is now okay and is safe in Heaven with the other cowboys that have gone on ahead. He will be waiting for you when your job here is done. Please take comfort in that knowledge, and gain strength from each other and your wonderful memories. We are here Jan, as you and Jim were so long ago. Let us know if we can help. ~ Donnie and Bobette Schofield Milesville, SD (1/24/2013)
Dear Jan & family,

You have our deep sympathy and we will keep you in our prayers. We will not be able to attend the memorial service as Rose is having breast cancer surgery in Rapid City on that day. We are confident that God will wrap His arms around you and comfort you. We know that you have strong faith and trust in Jesus as our Savior. -- Romans 8:31-39 ~ Loren Kiel 20840 E. Grindstone Rd.,Quinn, SD 57775 (1/24/2013)
Jan & Family, Our prayers & thoughts are with you. God Bless. ~ Ralph & Cathy Fiedler 2130 Ellen St Sturgis, S. D. (1/24/2013)
Jan, We send our sympathy to you and sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. ~ Rudy & Susan Roth Philip (1/24/2013)
We are thinking of you, Jan, and your family, with the loss of Jim. We have good memories of the 5 plus years that we worked on the Hewitt Ranch. This is a difficult time, but memories will carry you on. ~ Jim & Vonnie O'Dea Howes,SD (1/24/2013)
Scotty and family, I am so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. I lost mine about 2 years ago and remember well the initial feelings. I pray that The Lord will wrap you and all of those you love in His big loving embrace and give you comfort at this time and future months. ~ Mary (Volsteadt) Haan Sioux Falls, SD (1/24/2013)
We are very sorry that you have lost a loved one, but the suffering is over. The many memories you have is a great reward. We are remembering the 5 plus year that we worked for the Hewitt Ranch and were friends, too. Thinking of you and your family. ~ Jim & Vonnie O'Dea Howes,SD (1/24/2013)
Jan and family
Sorry for your loss! Your strong faith and trust in the Lord will be your guidance. May the many memories carry you thru the days ahead! ~ Shelia Trask Wasta SD (1/24/2013)
Tammi & Steve, and family. Times like this are hard, but your faith will help you through. Our prayers are with you. So sorry for your loss. ~ Steve & Sheila Ingram Fort Pierre (1/24/2013)
Jan:
We send you our deepest sympathies. Know that our prayers and our love are with you and your family.
It is our hope that your wonderful memories will help you to fill the emptiness. Those memories are God's gift to us when He calls home the ones we love.
In sympathy:
Peggy and Albert ~ Peggy & Albert Stoddard Plankinton, SD (1/24/2013)
Sorry for your loss. May the Lord help you thru this diffcult time. ~ Everrett & Marie Reagle & Family Mission, SD (1/24/2013)
You are in my thoughts and prayers. ~ Mildred Hannah Valentine, NE (1/24/2013)
Dear Jan, Tammy, J.D., Scott and families; keeping you all in my prayers. Love and hugs. Jim joins some awesome company! ~ Holly Bendigo Dupree, SD (1/24/2013)
Jan, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. ~ Jim & Patty Ward Pierre (1/24/2013)
janice and family. We share your sorrow and will say a prayer for all of you. We have wonderful memories that will last forever.
Sorry we could not share the services with you.God Bless. ~ martin & marj ostransky gretna ne (1/24/2013)
Jan and family, We are sorry for your loss. You are a beautiful family. May you find comfort in the presence of Jesus. We are praying for you. ~ Jim and Nancy McQuown Black Hawk, SD (1/24/2013)
Jan, the entire Brown and Mulvehill clan sends our condolences and prayers to you and your family. May Jim rest in Christ's peace. Mike ~ Mike Mulvehill Carlsbad, CA (1/24/2013)
Dear ones, I have thought of you so many times the past few months. Uncle Jim was such a blessing to all of us, as are all of you. The video tribute is beautiful. You will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. Love always, Janet & Jim Lancaster and family ~ Janet Lancaster jlancaster@marykay.com (1/24/2013)
Dear Jan and Family, We have thought of you often since we heard of Jim's "home-going", as we truly know that grief, and that attached to having a loved one house-bound for an extended time. However, the lovely music "I Can Only Imagine" from the video says so much that we can't verbalize in this short space. It reminds us that you all had a full and memorable life together and that Jim is standing amazed up there! The Lord Jesus is so good...all the time...even during this process...You have our prayers! Love y'all---neighbors! ~ Teal, Bev & Garret Singletary Ragley, Louisiana (1/24/2013)