James “Jim” A. Neis, 81, Waite Park

August 16, 1934 - November 16, 2015

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM Thursday, November 19, 2015 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Waite Park for Jim Neis who died Monday at the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud. The Rev. Mark Innocenti will officiate. Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Little Falls. Visitation will be from 9-11AM Thursday at the church in Waite Park. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in St. Cloud.

Jim was born in Rockville to Norbert & Theresa (Chirhart) Neis. He served his country in the United States Army. He married Mary Jackson on May 25, 1957 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Waite Park. Jim worked at Dezurik from 1960 until his retirement and retired as a general foreman. He is a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Waite Park, where he was an usher for many years. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 622 of St. Cloud and Sports Unlimited of Waite Park. He was an avid fisherman and hunter who enjoyed taking trips out to South Dakota. He was a self-made engineer; always finding a way, creating a fish house or making a sinker. He was one of central Minnesota’s outstanding baseball players, playing for many amateur teams around the area. He enjoyed riding his bike around the neighborhood and visiting with everyone. He will be remembered as being Mr. Safe with his kids, never wanting to push the boundaries. He was a great dad, grandpa and husband.

Survivors include his wife, Mary of Waite Park; children, Tracy (Tom) Masanz of Roseville; Karen of Golden Valley; Michael of Golden Valley; sisters and brother, Mary (Bob) Neiman of St. Cloud; Kathleen Schwitalla of Sauk Rapids; Robert (Joanne) Neis of St. Louis Park; grandchildren, Jaryd Dock, Daniel Masanz, Jack Neis and Ashley (Ryan) Farha, and great grandkids, Pierce and Ella.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Major Thomas Neis, and granddaughter, Noelle Neis.

A special thank you to the staff at St. Cloud VA Medical Center Building 48-1 for their loving and excellent care of Jim.

Memorials are preferred to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Waite Park or the Poor Clare Sisters in Sauk Rapids.