James ‘Jim’ Hruska, 77

May 17, 1940 —

July 9, 2017

 

CRESCO -  James “Jim” Hruska, 77, of Protivin, Iowa passed away on Sunday, July 9, 2017 at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, Iowa.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin,  with Father Kyle Digmann presiding. Burial was in Holy Trinity Cemetery, Protivin. 

James S. Hruska was born May 17, 1940, in Howard County, Iowa, the son of August F. and Emma (Zajicek) Hruska. He attended country school a few blocks from his home and graduated from Cresco Public High School in 1958. 

He entered the U.S. Army on Sept. 9, 1963 and was honorably discharged Aug. 31, 1969. He was employed at Frudden Lumber Company in Protivin from 1958-1988 and at Decorah Building Supply from 1989-2007. 

He was united in marriage to Margaret Ann Pecinovsky on Nov. 28, 1970 at Holy Trinity Church, Protivin.

Jim has been a member of American Legion Post 605 in Protivin. This year he was honored as a 50-year continuous member. He was a member of Howard County Conservation Board; Prairie’s Edge Foundation; Past American Legion Adjutant, Service Officer and Commander; First Responders and the fire department; and Legion Firing Squad. 

He started and maintained a bluebird trail of 70 nest boxes. Other hobbies included trap shooting, gun-smithing, collecting rocks, antiquing, collecting tobacco and other tins, beer glasses and M & M dispensers. 

He is survived by his wife, Margaret of Protivin; three sisters, Marcella Burke, Bea Miller and Irene (Jerry) Kirschbaum; brother-in-law, Roger Pecinovsky; sisters-in-law, Marilyn (Mark) Quandahl and Madonna (Mike) Lasack; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, August and Emma Hruska; sister, Judy in infancy; sister, Jane Voyek; brothers-in-law Matt Miller, Larry Voyek and Charles Burke; nephew, Tom Voyek; his mother and father-in-law, William and Evelyn Pecinovsky; nephew, Tom Quandahl; and niece, LeAnn Pecinovsky.