James E. Weese

James Edward Weese was born in Montrose Colorado on August 28, 1918. He passed away peacefully on Wednesday November 14, 2006 in Winona, Minnesota.Jim grew up in Colorado and married his wife Louise on July 3rd, the day after her 21st birthday. They first moved to Bremerton Washington and then on to Tanacross Alaska where they stayed for three years. Jim said the winters in Alaska were just too cold and he enrolled in a class on electrical Instruments which served him well in his career as a jeweler and his love for watch making. They came south and then settled first in Enumclaw and then a year later in Auburn Washington where they stayed for most of the rest of their lives. It was there that they bought a jewelry store they re-named Weese Jewelry and a year after they settled in their daughter Robinette was born. They worked hard at their store with baby Robin in the back room and Jim and Louise out front. James (Jim) Weese received the very first Hometown Hero Award from a grateful community later in life for all he had done for Auburn. Jim Weese was a true hero to his community and has been "Mister Auburn" to all of his friends. Jim was a member and President of the Chamber of Commerce, ran two school levies, and ran the levy for the park that was later known as Game Farm Park. He served on the Auburn Park Board for 15 years and was Chairman of the Board. He was instrumental in saving the Miss Auburn Scholarship Program by making the pageant, originally founded at the turn of the century; part of the Miss America program and it is now one of the largest local programs of Miss America in the United States. He would give each Miss Auburn a crown and each Miss Washington a diamond necklace. He helped start a new locally owned bank ? Valley National Bank ? and served as its Vice President for 15 years. He also helped organize the promotion of Auburn's Pioneering activity and turned it into an annual celebration as well as founding the Pioneer Queen contest. He was a member of the Auburn Noon Lions Club for over 50 years including President of the Club and received the Melvin Jones Humanitarian Award, Lions most prestigious award, for all of his accomplishments. In recognition of his service the Lions dedicated $10,000 to the construction of the Lion James E. Weese Room at Auburn Senior Center. Jim once said one of the things he admired the most was a small part he played in a John Wayne movie "McQ" that took place in the early '70's.Jim retired to Callista Court in Winona where he lived out his life with his wife Louise. Survivors include his wife Louise; daughter, Robin (Jack) Schell of Winona, MN; grandchildren, John Schell of Minneapolis, MN, Bryan Schell of Rochester, MN, Kim (Mike) Durigan of Rochester, MN and Amee (Jason) Austin of Coon Valley, WI; and three great-grandchildren, Allie, Ian and Aleah. He was preceded in death by his parents and eight brothers and sisters.Funeral services are planned for Monday, November 27, 2006, at 1:00pm at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service Hansen Tribute Center in Goodview with funeral celebrant John Wagenaar officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Minnieska, MN. Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Monday.The family has asked that any contributions go to charity or the Auburn Noon Lions for Jim's favorite Sight and Hearing projects. Please feel free to share a memory of Jim with the family or sign the online guestbook at: www.hofffuneral.com