James Edward Heller

James Edward Heller, the son of Harry and Clara (Berning) Heller was born August 15, 1929 on the farm near Ayrshire, IA. His childhood years were spent on the farm near Emmetsburg, IA where he also attended school.

James married Lila Pixler, to this union seven children were born. They later divorced. James married Lois Fry on May 6, 1962 in Jackson, MN, to this union six children were born. He farmed his whole life, including in Minnesota and Canada before returning to Iowa in 1977. He also worked at Matt Furniture on the side for 8 years. He enjoyed going for daily walks and coffee with friends and going to the casino once in a while. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spencer.

James passed away on Monday, October 6, 2025 at the Spencer Hospital, at the age of 96. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter, Mary Louise, one son, Eugene, one daughter, Rosemary, two brothers, William and Bernard, and four sisters, Mary Ann Moran, Elizabeth Heller, Cecelia Kollasch, and Isabelle Heller.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Lois of Spencer, IA; his children, James (Amalia) Heller of Spring Hill, FL, Judy (Paul) Smith of Sioux City, IA, Nancy Dunnick of Sioux City, IA, Joseph (Cindy) Heller of Jetmore, KS, Dennis (Elizabeth) Heller of Atlanta, GA, Paul Heller of Emmetsburg, IA, Pam (Kevin) Grigg of Spencer, IA, Cindy (Wes) Grunow of Pittsburgh, MO, Mark Heller of Ardmore, TN, Tracy Kuck of Sioux Falls, SD; many grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren; 3 brothers, Vincent, Ray and Leonard Heller; one sister, Betty Foxhoven; other relatives and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

The family asks that masks be considered but not required due to the Covid-19 virus

The service can be livestreamed by clicking the link: www.spencersacredheart.com/funerals