Jacob J. Heier, 89, of Hoxie, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. He was born Dec. 21, 1929 in rural Park, Kan., to Valentine “Walter” and Margaret (Zerr) Heier.
Jake attended a small country school north of Park. After finishing school he worked on the family farm.
He attended a wedding dance where he met a young lady who captured his heart, and then married, Rosalie Pauline Appelhans on May 3, 1954 in St. Peter, Kan. Jake and Rosie recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.
He was a member of St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church and served as Grand Knight for Knights of Columbus. He was always willing to serve his Lord in any way he could.
After Jake and Rosie were married, they lived on the family farm north of Park. They were blessed with a beautiful family. In 1961, the family moved to Hoxie.
In his early years Jake worked for Fred Pratt, Don William’s Tire Shop, and Bill Week’s filling station. In 1968, he went to work for the Kansas State Road Department where he worked with the road maintenance crew for 27 years and retired in 1992.
Jake and Steve Zerr Sr. worked many odd jobs together for those who asked, always willing to lend a helping hand. In 1975, they purchased their home and property east of Hoxie where Jake would putter around on his tractor and build out the property to create a big garden for he and his wife to tend.
Jake and Rosie enjoyed going to dances so much they joined the Sunflower Polka Club, which kept them busy on the weekends going to dances in various towns around the area. They led many wedding marches for family and friends.
When they weren’t dancing, they played cards and a family favorite game—Wahoo. He loved to go coyote hunting with his son and other relatives. After retirement Jake enjoyed going to early morning coffee with his coffee buddies at Red’s. Jake enjoyed his family and friends. He always had a smile on his face, spoke to everyone and never knew a stranger.
Survivors include his wife, Rosie of the home; son, Richard and wife Glenda; daughter, Debra and husband Kelly Vickers, all of Hoxie, and Norma Lehew of Tucson, Ariz.; sister, Martha Heier, of Hays; grandchildren, Aimee Vickers, Kelsi and husband Adam Bartlett, Jamie and husband Chris Hoyt, Jordan and wife Erika Vickers, Trisha Hoover, Andrew Hoover, Kara and husband Bronson Scott, and Corey Heier; great-grandchildren, Taelynn, Lyla, Kaitlin, Grayson, Lennan, Jovie, Alexa, Eislee, Emery and McKinley.
He is preceded in death by his parents; infant son Robert; infant daughter Carol; infant grandson Lane; and infant granddaughter.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 13, 2019 at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, Hoxie. Burial will follow in St. Frances Cemetery, Hoxie.
Visitation will be from 2:30 until 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019 with family receiving friends from 6 to 7 p.m. with the Vigil Service starting at 7 p.m. at Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, Hoxie.
Memorials are suggested to the Sheridan County Benefit Walk and Knights of Columbus. Memorials may be sent in care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. Words of comfort may be left at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com.
Jake Heier was a good man. He loved his Lord Jesus Christ and family with all his heart. He knew he was so blessed to live to see his grandchildren grow up and be a part of their children– his great grandchildren’s lives. His ever-ready smile and willingness to share a story will forever be missed by his family and friends.