Jim Cheney

Cheney, Jim Jim Cheney passed so quietly on Thanksgiving - early in the day. He was cared for there at the Catholic Home in wonderful ways by an extraordinary staff and surrounded by extraordinary Alzheimers people. Jim' and Fran's son, Carlos, and Carlos" wife, Karen, shared Jim's beautiful spirit. Carlos, Karen and Jim's grandkids - Shayla, Lexi, Dayvin and Kiyah were often at the Catholic Home sharing food with Jim and his wife, Fran. This wonderful family of Jim's painted together in the garden room. Jim had plants there. Joan Warsinski, a former student of Jim's, had brought really good dirt. Fran put a big pot on Jim's lap and Joan put dirt in it and then a poinsetta plant. Last winter Fran and Jim spent evenings in the garden room. Jim with a potted plant on his lap would touch the leaves as Fran read out loud to Jim. They were outside winter and summer for hours at times. This was key. "Being in the world." Jim's words. If you like - please make donations to the University of Wisconsin at Waukesha Field Station. It is land Jim loved. It is connected to the school Jim taught at for 40 years. His last 8 years were devoted to teaching American Indian Philosophy with Peggy Rozga, a wonderful teaching partner. And he was devoted to this particular subject. Jim eventually found his way back in his heart to his origins in St.Paul - he has wonderful family there. And to Cedar Lake where his family went in the summer for a week and the St.Croix River where his boyscout camp was. There are small quiet gatherings planned to honor Jim's life. Wondrous care came from Fran's family and Jim's, as well as people at our church - Plymouth United Church of Christ, from Stowell Managed Home Health Care, and many other people. Thank you all.