James G. “Jim” Rehkamp, 63, of Albany, passed away unexpectedly from complications of a blood infection March 15, 2024, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.
A Mass of Christian Burial was March 19 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in St. Anthony with the Rev. Edward Vebelun, O.S.B. officiating and the Rev. Julius Beckermann, O.S.B. concelebrating. Interment was in the parish cemetery.
James Gerard Rehkamp was born June 25, 1960, in Sauk Centre, to Leander and Josephine (Engelmeyer) Rehkamp. He graduated from Sauk Centre High School in 1979 and continued his education at Alexandria Technical College, graduating in 1981. Jim was united in marriage to Joyce Beutz Sept. 20, 1986, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in St. Anthony. Jim worked at Fred Ostendorf Excavating in Sauk Centre for a few years before starting at Wonder Hostess Cakes in Sauk Centre in 1986 as a truck mechanic. In 2005, he began working at Stearns Manufacturing in Sauk Rapids in facility maintenance. Jim was most recently working at Wells Concrete in Albany as a mechanic/maintenance engineer.
Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing, four-wheeling, gardening, staying busy and, most of all, being a grandpa. To his family, he was the “Jim of all trades.” He was able to fix anything. He was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church where he served as a trustee, a member of St. Anthony Men’s Society, St. Joseph Rod and Gun Club and Pioneer Club in Albany.
Survivors include his loving wife Joyce Rehkamp of Albany; daughter Tanya (Ryan) Willenbring of Eden Valley; son Travis (McKenna) Rehkamp of Albany; grandchildren Emma, Eli, Carson and Baby Willenbring on the way; mother Josephine Rehkamp of Sauk Centre; and sisters Carol Ervasti of Sauk Rapids and Diane (Gregg) Kyllo of Otsego; mother-in-law Geneva Beutz of Albany; brother-in-law Ray Beutz of Albany; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father Leander Rehkamp; father-in-law Ervin Beutz; and sister and brother-in-law Jeanne (Beutz) and (Scott) Younkin, along with many aunts and uncles.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Melrose.
