Jim Huber at the age of 90 passed away at the Sanford Canby Hospital, Canby, MN on October 23, 2020. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2020 at 10:30 AM at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Canby MN. Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, November 11th at the Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Canby, MN. Burial will be in the St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery, Canby, MN.
Jim Huber was born on September 22, 1930 in New Prague, MN to Frank and Margaret (Luskey) Huber. Jim was the 5th of 6 children. Jim played and excelled in sports at Belle Plaine High School and worked in his parents’ grocery store. After graduation he quickly joined the Air Force where he spent time in many places but most importantly at Ruislip Air Force Base in England, where he met the love of his life. He married Margaret Olohan on October 18, 1952 at St. Josephs’ Catholic Church in Harrow Weald, England. They lived in England for one year before returning to Belle Plaine, MN with baby daughter, Cathy. They resided in Belle Plaine, MN where they added to their family with Carol, Chris and Paul. Jim worked for his parents in their grocery store for many years before venturing off to buy his own store in Fulda, MN in 1965 and after only 3 short years, bought a store in Canby, MN. Jim was the owner of Jim’s Market, formerly Jim’s Super Valu and Red Owl as well as the Gambles hardware store. Jim was very active in his church receiving a service award from the Bishop of the diocese of New Ulm. Jim donated to the community in so many ways and was so proud of his ability to give to people and organizations. He is well known for sponsoring softball, baseball, and bowling teams, being a Girl Scout sponsor and providing the Fall Festival Dinner for St. Peter’s church for many years. The Jim’s Red Owl softball tournaments became a huge community event bringing hundreds of people to Canby. Jim was a member of the Canby Fire department, VFW, American Legion, as well as serving on the Canby city council. Jim spent many hours maintaining the Canby baseball field as he treated it as it was his own yard. He was honored by being entered into the Canby Hall of Fame for his support of the Canby Lancers teams in 2016. Jim and Margaret were such a great team in running the grocery store, raising a family and traveling the world. After the death of his beloved Margaret, he married LuRetta (Lindberg) Huber in 2003. They were great companions and helped each other through their shared grief of losing Margaret, who was a very good friend to Lu over many years.
Jim is survived by his wife LuRetta, sister Mary Jaros of East China, MI, 4 children: Cathy Barck (Sanford) of The Colony, TX, Carol Rains (David) of The Colony, TX, Chris (Greg) Turner of Boca Raton, FL and Paul Huber (Kim Schmidt) of Canby, MN. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his wife Margaret of 49 years, his parents Frank and Margaret, brothers Mark, John, Art, and Fran Huber.
