Jim (James) Richard Hoeppner

Jim was born to Jake and Rosie Hoeppner on August 31, 1954; their first born. He was the first grandchild on his father’s side and the second grandchild on his mother’s side. He lived in Winnipeg with his family until the winter of 1960 when they moved to a farm south of Austin.

He started school that fall and attended Sight Hill school; a one room schoolhouse for grades 1-8. He had to walk to school, about 1 mile, by himself that first year. The roads were not ploughed in the winter, and he had to crawl through a fence into a pasture and over the hill, crawl through a fence on the other side and back onto the road.

When Jim was about 8 or 9 years old, he attended Carberry Bible Camp (now Valley View Bible Camp) for a week. There, he accepted the gift of salvation that Jesus offers to all of us. I still remember the smile of his face as mom told us, with happy tears in her eyes, about his decision.

In spring of 1964, the family moved north of MacGregor where Jim attended Pathhead school until grade 6, when that school was closed and we were bussed to MacGregor.

Jim was just 1 credit short of graduation which would have been in 1972. He went to work with CP Rail for 2 seasons doing line repair. Then it was on to Winnipeg to work for his uncle Rudy in installing heating systems and then driving for Pony Express.

Jim decided to join his brother Ken in Calgary in 1982 where he lived until his death.

He continued working for messenger service for a few years until he switched to be a taxi driver. This was the job he had for most of his adult life. The last few years he drove luxury cab which required him to wear a suit.

A pivotal moment came into his life when Jim was in his late 30’s. He had become an alcoholic, and he had reached the point in his life where he recognized that he needed to make a change. He got sober through AA. He recently spoke about his sponsor who had been there for him for over 25 years. Another in his group said the Jim was a pillar in his sobriety journey.

Jim remained single all his life. So, it was a happy surprise when he discovered he had a daughter in spring of 2019. I think I can safely say that that was the happiest thing that had happened in his life. We were all so happy for him and welcomed Amanda wholeheartedly into our family! Sweet Amanda provided Jim with so much joy during his last 7 years; truly the happiest years of his life.

Lately, Jim bemoaned the fact that although he had accepted salvation as a child, he had not done anything to live his faith. Mom told him it was not too late, reminding him of the exchange of Jesus with the thief on the cross; “today you will be with me in paradise”.

Jim’s health began to decline last fall. He had lost about 60 lbs and he was down to about120 lbs. His body could not cope with the infections he had as he had no reserves. About a week before his death; he told mom he had to have help to open his car door against the wind that was blowing that day.

Jim passed away quietly in his sleep on May 1, 2026, at the age of 71.

He was predeceased by his father Jake Hoeppner, in 2009 and by his sister Sharon Loewen in 2015.

He leaves to morn his passing his dear daughter, Amanda Gourlay, and her husband Mike, his mother Rosie Hoeppner and his siblings Tim (Donna), Janet (Alan), Ken (Janice) and David (Tamara) many nieces and nephews, his aunts Irene, Jean, and Marilyn (Pete) and their families.

The Service will be video recorded and made available on Monday, May 11, 2026