Jim Hauschild

Hugo James “Jim” Hauschild, age 81 of Redwood Falls, passed away peacefully, while surrounded by his family at his home, on Friday evening, February 23, 2024. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 29, 2024 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Redwood Falls. Visitation will be 9:00-11:00 a.m. Thursday at the church. Stephens Funeral Service -Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. 

Hugo James “Jim” Hauschild was born May 26, 1942 in Sarasota, Florida, to Hugo Herman and Ellen (Olesen) Hauschild. He was baptized on July 15, 1942, in Sarasota, Florida, by Pastor George A. Foster. He was confirmed at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Taunton, Minnesota on September 2, 1956 by Rev. Henry Albrecht. He attended Minneota Public School and then Ivanhoe Public Schools. Jim always wanted to join the military but it wasn’t to be. He joined the Navy in July 1959. In basic training, they found Jim to be a “sinker” and he was honorably discharged on September 29, 1959. He then headed to San Luis Obispo, California, where he became a prison guard at the California Men’s Colony, a medium-security prison. He was very proud to be a prison guard. Jim and his children, Ellie & Paul, returned to Minnesota and he worked for various farmers in the area. He married Mary Jane Erickson on December 8, 1973 in Redwood Falls. They moved to Canby, MN and he worked for the Farmers Coop driving bulk truck and farmed at night. They returned to Redwood Falls and purchased the Club 101 in North Redwood in April 1976. After a tragic accident involving Mary’s brother, Dwight, and a drunk driver, they sold the bar in July 1977. Then Jim’s trucking career began. He drove for various trucking firms until he purchased his first Peterbilt. Jim drove millions of miles across the United States. The only states he did not truck in were Maine and New Hampshire. We wished we would have kept track of the miles, but we didn’t. He was so proud the day he purchased his 1985 Kenworth AeroDyne Long Nose Tractor – and it was pretty! Jim kept trucking until 1989 when he sold his tractor and trailer and came home. He then began a 22 year career driving locally for Farmers Union Industries. Jim finally retired from trucking at the age of 69. He was proud of the fact he would receive awards for safety driving and no accidents. This was quite an accomplishment considering the miles he put on. Jim was a private man, and he carried his Bible along with him in the truck everywhere he went. He would read a chapter of the Bible every night before he went to sleep. He stated once that he had read the Bible three times. He always said he had an angel on his shoulder. Another interest of Jim’s was Harley Davidson Motorcycles. At one time he owned three because he couldn’t decide which one to keep. His last bike was a 2010 Harley Davidson trike. The color was Ruby Red. When he felt he couldn’t continue riding, he sold the trike. He then had to find a Mustang convertible which he bought in 2014. It had to be red – and it is – we call her “Ruby”. Jim loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was very proud of them and always looked forward to his visits with them.

Jim is survived by his wife and best friend, Mary; children: Ellie (Tim) Ortmann of Buffalo, MN, and Pastor Paul (Kristi) Hauschild of Chatfield, MN; 10 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren and one on the way. He is also survived by his siblings: Robert Hauschild of Pierz, MN, Karen Banta of Ogden, UT, and Mary Carol Hauschild of Marshall, MN. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Dick Hauschild, and sister Lois Birr.

Blessed be his memory.