Jim Heidebrecht

Jim Heidebrecht, of Marysville, KS, peacefully went to his eternal home to be with God on January 29, 2015, at St. Francis Hospital, in Topeka, KS, after losing his courageous battle with cancer at the age of 74. Visitation was Friday, January 30 from noon to 8 p.m. at Kinsley Mortuary in Marysville. The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 31, at the New Hope Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Blue Rapids, KS. Burial was in Elm Creek Cemetery south of Marysville. Jim was born June 19, 1940 at Hutchinson, KS, son of Paul and Ida (Wiebe) Heidebrecht. Due to his father’s occupation during his younger years he attended 16 schools in 12 years, ultimately graduating from Waterville High School. While in High School he enjoyed running cross country and playing basketball. On April 20, 1989, he married the love of his life, Connie. A man with many talents, he held various jobs within construction and maintenance throughout his life retiring from Travalong Trailers. He touched the lives of many people and was always there to lend a helping hand in time of need. He was proud of the fact that he donated 106 units of blood with the American Red Cross and he looked forward to the letters from them telling him how his donation had helped others. His dream came true when he was honored to meet his idol, Coach Bill Snyder last summer. He was humbled by the kindness Coach Snyder showed him and treasured the friendship they developed. You could find him most Saturday nights at the Beatrice Speedway in the pits helping and cheering on his son’s 18K racing team. His true enjoyment in life was spending time with his wife of 25 years, his children, and his grandchildren. He had an extreme passion for bowling and enjoyed traveling to national and state bowling tournaments, with the highlight of his bowling career happening when he won the Senior Tournament and other bowling honors. His TV time was spent watching old time westerns, WWE wrestling, the Royals, and his beloved K-State football team. His hobbies included woodworking, fishing, watching the weather and reporting storm activity to the National Weather Service, and gardening - especially growing big tomatoes. He always took an avid interest in his grandchildren. He loved watching them play sports, helping them with 4-H projects, going fishing and attending K-State games with them, and being able to spend this last year getting to know his newest granddaughter, Maren Ell. He is survived by his wife, Connie Heidebrecht, daughter, Amanda Svoboda and her husband, Darrin, of Marysville, son, Spencer Sutton and his wife, Kristie, of Odell, Nebraska, daughter, Jennifer Downard and friend, Mike Parker, of Waterville, and daughter, Emily Wassenberg and her husband, Matt, of Marysville, Grandchildren, Raechel Lockhart, Danielle Lockhart, Schuyler Sutton, Shane Sutton, Kaden Sutton, Maren Wassenberg, Hunter Svoboda, Cody Svoboda, and Conner Svoboda, niece, Susan Nelson and her husband, Matt, of Olathe, Kansas, nephew, Jim Heidebrecht and his wife, Sally, of Creighton, Missouri, and a brother, Raymond Heidebrecht. His parents and sister preceded him in death. A memorial fund has been established and will be designated later. Contributions may be sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jim Heidebrecht, please visit our flower store.