John Solheim, 67, died on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 lost his battle with cancer at MeritCare Palliative Care Unit Hospital in Fargo, ND surrounded by his loving family. He had lived the past month at Bethany Homes in Fargo.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, September 19, 2009 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Red Lake Falls, MN with Reverend Gary Graff officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls, MN. Military Honors will be provided by the Red Lake Falls American Legion Color Guard.

Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M to 8:00 P.M. on Friday, September 18, 2009 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Red Lake Falls, MN with a 7:00 P.M. Prayer service on Friday evening. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

John Arthur Solheim was born on June 3, 1942 to Stanley and Ruth Janet (Harris) Solheim in Thief River Falls, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. He attended Knox elementary school and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1960.

He entered the US Army in Fort Carson, Colorado Springs, CO in 1964 and served until 1966. He received an honorable discharge in 1970. John worked as a machinist and tool and die maker in the 1960s in Minneapolis, MN. He worked at the Dayton Rogers Machine Company. He also had a side line of snowplowing around Minneapolis.

He met Ardith June Hovet in Minneapolis and the couple was married on October 11, 1969 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN. To this union they were blessed with three children. They lived in Minneapolis for a short time. In June of 1970, Johns uncle and aunt, Roy and Chuckie Wilcox asked John to work for them in the family business in Red Lake Falls, MN. John took over ownership of the Wilcox Furniture and Appliance Store in 1981, and in 1986 he added golf carts to the business. Golf carts became Johns favorite part of the business and he was one of the largest golf cart suppliers in the area.

John had a very strong faith in God throughout his life. He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Red Lake Falls, serving on the church council, teaching Sunday School, sang in the church choir, and participated in the mens bible study. He enjoyed working at the annual church smorgasbord. John also served on the City Council in Red Lake Falls and helped establish Red Lake Falls as a star city. He was also active in the Lions Club, the Oak Knolls Golf Club, and the Northern Aviators RC Club. One of his lifelong hobbies was fishing with family and friends at Lake of the Woods. He also enjoyed snowmobiling, golfing, and motorcycling. He was a collector car enthusiast and owned several of them. John always found time to sit and have coffee with his friends at one of the cafes in town. He was a big fan of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings and believed in supporting the local sports in Red Lake Falls. John and Ardith were lucky to travel to many places with business associates and family. For the past few winters, he has thoroughly enjoyed vacationing in Arizona with his wife and spending time with his friends.

He is survived by his wife Ardith, Red Lake Falls, MN, 3 children: Julie Janet Solheim, Grand Forks, ND, Jason John (Nikki) Solheim, Fargo, ND, Jolene June (Nathan) Schue, Moorhead, MN, 2 granddaughters: Haley June and Madisen Ann Schue, 2 sisters: Sharon Rae Vatthauer, Thief River Falls, Cheryl Kay Cardella, Sun City West, AZ, 2 uncles: Tom McNeally, Osakis, MN, and Cliff Lunke, Alexandria, MN. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Stanley and Ruth, sister Mary Ellen Mittelstadt, brother in law Michael Cardella, father and mother in law Arnold and Julia Hovet, aunts and uncles, Roy (Chuckie) Wilcox, Olaf Solheim, Edward Solheim, Arne Solheim, Jeanette Dostal, Goodie Lunke, Violet McNeally, Isabel Stevens, Inger Vingren, Sophie Vik.

ORGANIST: Jan Muldoon
SOLOIST: Bethany Contemporary Group
SELECTIONS: It is Well With My Soul, Be Not Afraid
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Great Is Thy Faithfulness, On Eagles Wings
PRAYER SERVICE READER: Heidi Casavan
CASKETBEARERS: (Nephews) Allen Hedeen (Godson), Craig Lia (Godson), Kyle Hams, Billy Hovet, Dale Hovet, Tad Hovet (great nephew)
MILITARY HONORS: Red Lake Falls American Legion