James Hebda
Paid obituary 164606
James E. Hebda, age 71, passed away peacefully on February 7, 2025, at the hospital next to his wife after a year long fight with cancer.
A visitation for Jim will be held at the Ice Age Pavilion (847 Fayette Ave., Rib Lake, WI 54470) from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025, followed by a prayer service led by nephew, Pastor Trevor Lind. He will receive full military honors. Burial will take place at Lakeview Cemetery (Lake Shore Drive, Rib Lake, WI 54470).
Jim was born to Stanley and Dorothy “Everett” Hebda in Rib Lake on April 26, 1953. He was a graduate of Rib Lake High School in 1971. On August 13, 1971, he enlisted in the Navy and was invited to attend the first Navy Brewers Company Game prior to boot camp. He was assigned to the Enterprise 65 which deployed for eight months and participated in combat operations in the Indian Ocean from October 1972 to February 1973. The Navy awarded him the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal (Bronze Star) and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. On January 15,1975, he successfully completed the Crossing the Line ceremony and was initiated as a “Trusty Shellback.” Jim’s superiors wrote that he “displayed initiative and expertise” as well as having “earned the respect of his juniors and seniors alike.” He was honorably discharged on August 12,1975.
Jim worked most of his career at Weather Shield Windows and Doors. He was instrumental in building and maintaining his family’s cabin in Rib Lake. Jim was an avid hunter including yearly monetary and gun donations to the Abby Sportsmans Club, volunteering weekly at the Daniel Boone Conservation League, and donating to/participating in Heroes Hunt for Veterans. Travel remained important throughout his life and he made it through all 50 states. He completed the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. with his daughter. All who knew Jim could count on him to help fix or build anything in their house. His grandkids fondly remember the never ending “pony rides” that brought joy with every visit.
Jim was well known among his in-laws for bringing up the IQ of the Kilty family. He liked to say, “Glad you had the opportunity to see me today.” Jim amazed the nieces and nephews by finding quarters behind their ears (as long as they had not washed their ears recently).
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Dawn “Kilty” Hebda, of Plymouth, Minn.; daughter, Elizabeth (Jordan) Williams of Medina, Minn.; grandchildren: Milly, Thomas, Claire and Abigail; siblings: Joe Hebda, Theresa (Bob) Gibbons, Stas (Judi) Hebda, Dick (Mary) Hebda, Ed (Sally) Hebda, Jeanie Lind and Mary (Randy) Ewoldt; in-laws and many nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; inlaws, Lyle and Irma Kilty; son, Jason Hebda; brother, Tommy Hebda; and brothers-in-law: Dan Lind, Joey Kilty, Klyde Gebelein and Doug Oelrich.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to your local veterans organization.
