Mikesh, James "Jimmy" 1954 - 2020

MIKESH, TRAPP, HOFFMAN, RIEDEL, AAMAAS, FISCHER, MIKESH-MERCADO, MARTINEZ

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:44

James “Jimmy” Mikesh, 66, died Friday, June 12, 2020, in the comfort of the morning sunlight in Milwaukie, Ore. A memorial service is being held at his brother’s country estate (Gary Mikesh) in Decorah June 27, 2020. Gethsemani Catholic Cemetery and Funeral home handled his cremation.

James Glenn Mikesh was born May 31, 1954, the third of four sons of James John Mikesh and Faith Shirley (Trapp) Mikesh. He was born in Milwaukee, Wis. His family moved to Calmar, where he would stay from nine years old until his high school graduation. He attended high school in Calmar and graduated from South Winneshiek High School in 1972. He then continued on to join the Navy from 1972-1976. Once he was discharged from the Navy, he moved to Los Angeles, Calif., where he met his wife. He was married to Susan Caliope Hoffman Nov. 17, 1983. They bought a house in Hawaiian Gardens, Calif., where they raised their family. James worked for The Union Pacific Railroad for 25-plus years.

In 2003, James and Susan, along with two of their daughters, relocated back to James’ childhood home where he would remain until Susan passed away in 2014.

James moved to Portland, Ore. where one of his daughters and her family lived. During his retirement he enjoyed reading sci-fi books, coin collecting, metal-detecting and spending time with his grandchildren. He lived out the remainder of his life in the beautiful area of Portland surrounded by nature and trees. James was an avid camper and hiker as a younger man, and he was able to enjoy the beautiful Oregon scenery in the last years of his life.

James is survived by four daughters: Kore (Mike) Riedel of Yuma, Ariz., Jenny Hoffman of Madison, Wis., Theresa (Ola Jakob) Aamaas of Portland, Ore., Kimberly (Kabir) Mikesh of Houston, Texas; seven grandchildren: Adam Reidel, Molly Fischer, Andre Aamaas, Rosalina Aamaas, Emil Aamaas, Muriel Aamaas, and Calliope Mikesh-Mercado; three brothers: Thomas (Monica) Mikesh, Roy (Janet) Mikesh,and Gary (Connie) Mikesh; mother-in-law, Elaine (Nikas) Martinez; several nieces, nephews and in-laws.

James was preceded in death by his wife, Susan; his parents, James and Faith Mikesh; his great-aunt, Otilla Mikesh; brothers-in-law Mark Hoffman, Richie Hoffman and Ricky Martinez; fathers-in-law, Dale Hoffman and Robert “Bob” Martinez.

Source: Decorah Newspapers June 22, 2020