James L. Meis 72, of Blaine, formerly of New London, died Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at GlenOaks Care Center in New London. His funeral service will be 1:00 pm Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at Living Word Lutheran Church in rural New London. A visitation will be held two hours prior to the service at the church. Services are entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home in New London. the service can be live-streamed at https://youtube.com/channel/UCG9eU-VvIJEU22yCYxbhwjg
James Leroy Meis was born on July 24, 1949, in Watertown, South Dakota, the son of Leo and Mabel (Reihe) Meis. His family moved to Boyd, Minnesota where Jim graduated from Boyd High School. After high school, he entered the United States Army. After his discharge, Jim returned home to Minnesota. In 1979 Jim was united in marriage to Becky Nadeau in New London. This union was blessed with three sons. Jim and Becky later divorced. Jim worked in maintenance at the New London/Spicer Schools for 18 years and later drove truck for Prentice Trucking.
Jim met and fell in love with Trudy Lohre. They settled in Monticello in 2007 where Jim worked for Cabelas. Jim and Trudy spent 22 years by each other’s side.
Jim was a former Troop Leader of Boy Scout Troop 228 in New London. He loved riding his Harley Davidson, and also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family and dogs. Jim was a man that could fix anything and would help wherever he was needed.
Jim has battled health problems most of his adult life. The past twelve years have been exceptionally difficult for him. He suffered a massive cardiac arrest in March of 2010, which led to his heart transplant on June 24, 2010. Soon after, he faced many more battles – including three different cancers, diabetes, several surgeries, and seizures, just to name a few. Abbott Northwestern, where his transplant was performed, had a nickname for Jim. He was known by the entire staff as Superman. That name has stuck all these years and he lived up to the name with honor. He fought each battle courageously and never once complained. After a nursing home fall on June 5 of this year, two more aggressive cancers, along with an aneurysm, were found and he knew he had finally met his match. In his words…” My fight is over and I am ready to go home to the Lord”. Jim was an incredibly brave man who fought hard and yet during each fight, always thanked the staff for caring for him. He had a heart of gold and will be deeply missed by so many.
Jim is survived by his life partner, Trudy Lohre of Blaine; children: Byron (Cassandra) of Spicer, Jeremy (Samantha) of Willmar, Leo (Shayla) of Wabasso, and Shannon Eller of Yankton, SD; stepchildren, Jason Lohre of Blaine, Travis Lohre of Willmar, and Melissa (Joe) Krajnyak of Clearwater; grandchildren: Alex, Payton, Lexi, Zoie, Hadlee, Hunter Tristen, and Declan. He is also survived by his siblings: Robert (Angelia) Meis of Headland, AL, Gerald (Becky) Meis of Long Prairie, Carol (Tim) Heinz of Lino Lakes, Janice (Gary) Schulz of Holloway, and Marlys Haugerud of Little Falls, many nieces and nephews; and many grand fur-babies (his families’ puppies).
Jim was preceded in death by his parents Leo and Mabel; stepmother, Martha, previous wife, Becky; brothers, Myron Reihe and Richard “Dick” Meis; and his faithful dog, Gunner.
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