James "Jim" Scheff
James "Jim" Scheff, 86, of Ortonville, MN, passed away on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at Ortonville Area Health Services in Ortonville.
Memorial Services will be held on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ortonville, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Burial will be held at Mound Cemetery.
The service will be livestreamed, recorded, and viewable at www.mundwilerfuneralhome.net.
James “Jim” Richard Scheff was born on May 31, 1940, in Big Stone City, SD, was the ninth of twelve children born to Martin and Lillian (Anderson) Scheff. Jim attended Big Stone City School and began working at the age of 15 at the local canning factory. He later worked for North Star Dairy in Big Stone City, delivering milk to area residents.
Jim met the love of his life, Doris Crocker, at a movie theater in Ortonville, MN. After dating for two years, the couple was married on July 15, 1961, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ortonville. Together, they were blessed with three children: Greg, Richard, and Kim.
Over the years, Jim and Doris lived in several communities. They started their young married life in Milbank, SD, where Jim worked at the Dakota Granite quarry. They later moved to Sioux Falls, SD, where he worked in construction, before eventually returning to Ortonville, MN, where they made their home for nearly 60 years. There, Jim was self-employed, operating his own construction business throughout the area.
Jim later accepted a position as a custodian at the Ortonville School, a job he absolutely loved. He retired from the school in 2008, but retirement never really suited him; for many years afterward, he kept busy doing construction work and helping others with their projects.
Jim enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. He loved hunting and fishing, fixing things, and spending time with his friends over coffee each day. He especially cherished visits with his family, finding great happiness in playing a game of dice, taking them out to lunch, or simply spending time together and making memories. He had a quick wit and a sense of humor that caught you off guard in the best way. Jim was a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Ortonville, where he served as a trustee and usher.
Jim is survived by his wife of 65 years, Doris Scheff of Ortonville, MN; children: Greg (Sandy) Scheff of Waconia, MN, and Kim (Scott) Worrall of Faribault, MN; grandchildren: Amanda Neubauer, Brody Scheff, Bronson Scheff, Nathan Worrall, and AJ Worrall; nine great-grandchildren: Aubrey Neubauer, Alayna Neubauer, Jaxon Neubauer, Emilia Scheff, Miles Scheff, Nolan Scheff, Malaya Scheff, Raelynn Scheff, and Cade Scheff. He is also survived by three sisters: Phyllis Christensen of Maple Grove, MN; Helen Brotzel of Milbank, SD; Sandy Reyes of Sioux Falls, SD; and one brother; Ron (Carol) Scheff of Big Stone City, SD; brothers-in-law: Larry (Cathy) Crocker, Rick Crocker; and sister-in-law, Linda Schwarze.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Martin and Lillian Scheff; his beloved son, Richard Scheff; his sisters: Elaine Raddatz, Betty Danielson, and Mary Ann Wells; and brothers: Robert Scheff, Chuck Scheff, Jerry Scheff, and Buddy Scheff.
