James R. Gieseke

James (Jim) Richard Gieseke, 69, died Tuesday, May 26, 2015, at his home on Clark Lake, Minnesota. 

Jim was born to Bernardt (Ben) and Esther (Schenk) Gieseke in Comfrey, Minnesota, on July 19, 1945.  Spending the majority of his years in Springfield, Jim raised his three children and owned and operated a service station and a small engine parts warehouse.  He met his wife, Sandy, in 2009, and moved to Nisswa, where he found a deep love of many things including Sandy, life on the lake, fishing, pontooning, and spending time with family and friends.  

Jim enjoyed working on and taking in car culture with his son, Michael, and brother, Don. He also cherished spending time with his grandchildren, Sequoia and Parker. Jim and Sandy frequently traveled to their special spots in Hawaii and enjoyed taking in the sights and sounds of Alaska.  

Jim is survived by his wife, Sandy Strom-Gieseke of Nisswa; brother, Don (Linda) Gieseke of Mankato; children Melissa (Ryan) Gieseke-Kuehl of Mankato, Julie (Tom) Fassbender of Winona, and Michael (Courtney) Gieseke of Fargo, N.D.; grandchildren, Sequoia Fassbender and Parker Fassbender of Winona; stepson, Christopher Blouin, of Minneapolis; nephews, Sheldon (Amy) Brandt of St. Peter, Shannon Brandt and friend Kathy Sauke of Forest City, Iowa; and grand-dogs, Scooter and Dessa.   Jim was preceded in death by his father, Bernardt Gieseke, in 2004; mother, Esther Gieseke, in 2014; and infant brother. 

The family will greet guests on Saturday, June 6, 2015, at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 5064 County Road 13, Nisswa, from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. followed by a Memorial Service at 1:30 p.m. Interment will be at Camp Ripley Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery at a later date. 

Cards of sympathy may be sent to the Family of Jim Gieseke P.O. Box 1382 Lake Hubert, MN 56459.  Memorials are preferred to the Minnesota Patriot Guard.