Jim Willuweit Obituary

James Bert “Jim” Willuweit was born November 10, 1945, to Bert and Nellie (Connelly) Willuweit in Quinn, South Dakota. He attended Big White School through the 7th grade and then attended Quinn School followed by Wall High School where he graduated in 1963. As a young man Jim was active in 4-H and basketball. At 15 years of age Jim won the National Little Britches Bareback title.

Jim attended South Dakota State University from 1963 to 1965. He took deferment from college to help his father on the ranch and in 1965 was drafted into United States Army. He served in Vietnam as a special communication operator and combat soldier until he was honorably discharged on September 9, 1967. Jim said his proudest accomplishment was serving his country.

Following his time in the service, Jim enrolled at Black Hills State University where he excelled on the rodeo team. In 1968, Jim was the Regional Champion Bareback Rider and Reserve Champion Bull Rider and was crowned the College National Finals Reserve Champion Bareback Rider. He was inducted into the BHSU Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2014 for these accomplishments. He also was a SDSU Rodeo Hall of Fame member.

Jim’s love of rodeo turned into a fulltime passion where he was honored to participate in the 1969 National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City in the bareback and saddle bronc events. He was a role model for many up and coming cowboys who admired his riding techniques. He continued to rodeo through the early seventies until returning home to the ranch which he operated until his time of death. In addition to running the ranch, Jim was a licensed pilot and a licensed real estate agent.

Jim’s love of the animals led him to invest in a racehorse, JW Blade. This special race horse was trained by a Gordie Olson, Jim’s cousin. JW Blade won numerous races and was one of the highlights of Jim’s life.

Jim was a quiet, caring, considerate, generous, and brilliant man. His grin was infectious and the twinkle in the eyes spoke more than his words. Jim often gave a big wink and a gentle squeeze on the shoulder as a sign of approval and always had a Milky Way or a Pepsi to share!

Grateful for having shared his life is his sister, Connie (Dennis) Keil; nieces, Misty (Gene) Drewitz, Brandy (Dean) Daniel, Jami (JT) Moon, and nephew Will (Mari) Willuweit; great-nieces, Hannah, Lucy, Emmy and Ella; great-nephews, Danny, Philip, Haden, Johnny, Aaron and Ole; his mischievous uncle, Lawrence Connelly; and many relatives and friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Jerry.

Visitation will be held 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 17, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall, with a vigil service at 6:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 18, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Wall, with Father Tim Hoag as celebrant.

Interment with military honors will be held at the Quinn Cemetery.

A memorial has been established to the Black Hills State Rodeo Club and the Wall High School Rodeo Team.

Service Details

VISITATION
4-6 p.m. with a vigil service at 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
Rush Funeral Chapel
Wall, South Dakota

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Thursday, January 18, 2018 - 10:00 a.m.
St. Patrick's Catholic Church
Wall, South Dakota

CELEBRANT
Father Tim Hoag

MUSIC
Gene and Rita Patterson - Musicians
Megan Hoffman - Cantor
"Amazing Grace"
"Ave Maria"
"I Am The Bread of Life"
"Song of Farewell"
"May The Choirs of Angels"
Gene Drewitz - Vocalist - "How Great Thou Art"

ALTER SERVERS
Burk Blasius - Blair Blasius - Jace Blasius

READER
Veryl Schroeder

USHERS
Dale Baumann - Mike Heathershaw

PALLBEARERS
Curt Willuweit - Will Willuweit - J.T. Moon - Haden Drewitz
Jim Connelly - Ed Connelly - Mike Connelly - Clint Allison

INTERMENT WITH MILITARY HONORS
Mt. Hope Cemetery
Quinn, South Dakota

Guest Book

Connie and families, deepest sympathy in the loss of your brother. Thoughts and prayers going out to all of you.

~ Joyce and Ed Buchholz Belle Fourche, SD (1/15/2018)

My thoughts and prayers are with Jim's family.
~ Ray Wilhelm Rapid City (1/17/2018)

So sorry to hear of Jim's passing. When we had the grocery store, Jim would come in and always had time to say hello.
~ Tom Clark Pahoa, Hawaii (1/18/2018)

Connie, Sorry to hear of Jim's passing, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
~ Nellie and Henry Chapell Gillette,Wy. (1/18/2018)

Blaine Nordvold

~ Blaine Nordvold Eagle Butte, SD (1/16/2018)

So very to hear of Jim's passing. Thoughts and prayers to the family.
~ Lane O'ROURKE (1/14/2018)

Connie & Family - Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
~ Lynn & Pam Denke Creighton, SD (1/15/2018)

~ Dave and Billie Humphrey Quinn Sd (1/14/2018)

I was sorry to hear of Jim's passing. He will be miss by my many.
~ Donald Goodsell Lakewood Colorado (1/16/2018)

My sympathy to Jim's family.
~ Kathi Deering W SACRAMENTO CA (1/15/2018)

My prayers and thoughts go out to Jim's family. He was a great guy who was very kind and generous. He was very good to me and my kids when we lived in Wall. RIP Jim. You will be missed.
~ Pat Johnson Weiss Rapid City (1/18/2018)

Connie & family, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
~ Kari and Kendall Kjerstad Grand Junction CO (1/19/2018)

Jim was a many of many talents who unselfishly shared his knowledge & skill with all who asked. Because of his generosity those skills will continue to be shared & built upon for generations. My deep sympathies to those he loved & who loved him & God bless you all.
~ Marcia Eisenbraun Custer, SD (1/15/2018)

Sure glad I called him the first day of the NFR, I certainly miss him and Jerry. They made quite an impression when I was a little girl growing up.
~ Char Price -Philip Philip (1/14/2018)

Our prayers and thoughts with Connie and family.
~ Jim&Janice Donaldson Burlington, Washington (1/21/2018)

Connie, My deepest sympathy for you and your family, Jim will be missed by all who knew him. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
~ Rod Hoffman Belle Fourche (1/14/2018)

So very sorry to here this news
Very glad I got to see him this past summer
Love and prayers to all
~ Cindy Gobel Sultan, wa (1/20/2018)

Our thoughts and prayers and with Jim's relatives and friends.
~ Linda Willuweit-Joy Lincoln, NE (1/17/2018)

My love and prayers for Connie and her family and May God Bless Jim!
~ Karen Olson Mansfield Texas (1/21/2018)

I am not sure how many decades it has been when I last saw Jim. Nevertheless I was saddened to hear of his death as I have so many fond (and fun) memories from 'back in the day'. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Connie, and the rest of the family.
~ Sam Cordes Chicago (1/24/2018)

Connie and Family,
My Deepest Sympathy. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May the Lord Be With You Now and Always. I will always remember him as our neighbor.
~ Fawna (Geigle) Goff Sturgis, SD (1/14/2018)

Sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Sending my condolences , prayers, love and hugs .
~ Marlene Lynch Eichorst Modesto Ca. (1/17/2018)