12/6/2021 8:07:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial for Jim Ptacek to be held Dec. 9 at St. Bernard's
A Mass of Christian Burial for Jimmy "Jim" Ptacek, 83, a longtime Pleasant Grove Township area farmer, will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Stewartville with Rev. Kevin Connolly officiating. Mr. Ptacek died on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021 of natural causes while surrounded by his loving family at The Waters on Mayowood in Rochester. Jimmy Theodore Ptacek was born on May 12, 1938, in Spring Valley to Joseph and Emma (Valvoda) Ptacek. He grew up on the family farm and attended Spring Valley High School, graduating in 1956. He was employed at Libby's and the Sinclair Gas Station both in Spring Valley. Jim was united in marriage to the love of his life, Sandra Kendall, on Nov. 29, 1957, at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Spring Valley. Following their marriage the couple lived in Rochester, where Jim began employment at IBM. They lived in Stewartville before moving to their farm in Pleasant Grove Township in 1961, where they raised their children and continued to make their home for over 55 years. Jim farmed for many years and was employed at IBM for 34 years and 11 months before retiring. Sandy was a homemaker and farmwife. His faith and serving were important to Jim beginning as an altar boy at St. Ignatius and then at St. Bernard's as a Eucharistic minister and usher. His grin and quirks of humor will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him, and most know that when you asked him a question his answer would be a shrug. He enjoyed old time music and dancing, puzzle books, playing bingo, feeding the birds on the farm, woodworking and tinkering in the shop. Jim enjoyed spending time with his friends and family. The family would like to express their deep gratitude for the care that Jim received from Seasons Hospice and the employees of The Marsh at The Waters on Mayowood. Jim is survived by his wife of 64 years, Sandy; one son and two daughters, Kevin of Rochester, Diane (Vern) Lentz of Stewartville, and Ellen (Brian) Newell of Rochester; five grandchildren, Eric (Elizabeth) Ptacek, Amanda (RJ) Ellwanger, Ashley Ptacek, Michaela Newell and Brady Newell; two great-grandchildren, Abigail Ellwanger and Ethan Ellwanger; one brother-in-law, Herb Kendall of Rochester; two sisters-in-law, Millie Ptacek of Spring Valley, and June Binder of McMinnville, Oregon; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Brian, his parents, two sisters, Betty Zimmerman and Dorothy Hafner and four brothers, Ed, Don, Joe, and Art Ptacek. A time of visitation for family and friends will take place one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday morning. The Ptacek Family suggests memorials to Seasons Hospice, Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Center, or St. Bernard's Catholic Church. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. On-line condolences and memories of Jim are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com.
