James "Jim" W. Hodapp

Mankato Mortuary 1001 N. Riverfront Drive Mankato, MN 56001 (507) 388-2202 James W. "Jim" Hodapp, age 80, of Mankato, passed away Friday, October 17, 2014 at Pathstone Living in Mankato, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with Lewy Body Dementia. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, Mankato with Fr. Tim Biren, officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m., Tuesday at the church. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Mankato. Memorials are preferred to St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, School Sisters of Notre Dame, or Ecumen Pathstone of Mankato. Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. James was born January 12, 1934 to Rome and Mary (Ziegler) Hodapp in North Mankato. He attended Holy Rosary grade school and graduated from Mankato High School in 1951. Following graduation he proudly served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. On October 18, 1958 Jim was united in marriage to Joan R. Welsh. Their union was blessed with a son, Michael and a daughter, Catherine. After 32 years of marriage, they divorced. Starting at the age of 15, Jim was a lifelong employee of Kaye Corporation, serving in various capacities. The majority of his working life was spent on the road serving dealerships throughout southern Minnesota. One of Jim's passions in life was physical fitness. He was a daily fixture at the Mankato YMCA for decades. From the age of 50 until 76 he was competing throughout Minnesota in races and triathlons. At races around the area his Dodge van with "Run Jog" plates would roll in with a load of fellow runners. A lifelong member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Jim was active as an usher and member of the Men's Group. He was a member of VFW Post 950. A wonderful father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Jim loved spending time with his family. He was always ready to lend a helping hand. Everyone who knew Jim was aware and or a victim of his humor. Being the recipient of his teasing was a good indicator of where you stood with Jim, you knew he cared for you. Jim is survived by his children, Mike Hodapp and his wife, Lisa of Little Rock, AR and Cathy Weber and her husband, Terry of Mankato; four grandchildren, Jason Weber of North Mankato, Austin, Tyler, and Alex Hodapp of Little Rock, AR; three sisters, Sister Dolores Hodapp SSND, Sister Arlene Hodapp SSND both of Mankato, and Marge Shaw and her husband, Bill of Columbus, GA; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his grandson, Justin Weber. Jim's family would like to express our gratitude to the wonderful staff throughout the entire Ecumen Pathstone Mankato Facility and Mayo Clinic Health System, Mankato - Hospice.