Cleo Hames was born on January 22, 1948, in Slayton, Minnesota to Ernest and Susan Holles Hames. He grew up in Currie and attended Tracy High School. On August 18, 1967, he enlisted in the United States Army. Following his honorable discharge on July 27, 1969, he returned to Currie. On June 16, 1973, he and Shirley Visker were married at the IHM Church in Currie.
Following their marriage, they made their home in Currie and raised their two children. In his younger years Cleo worked for Ruppert Plumbing, Hodgeman Construction and Ackerman Construction. In 1975 they purchased the meat locker in Currie from Johnny and Connie Reiter and change the name to Hames Processing. They operated the locker until 1998. He also worked with Jens Construction and Wright Tree Service for a time. In 1996 Cleo went to work for Swift which later became JBS in Worthington. He retired in 2014.
Cleo passed away on Friday, November 19, 2021, at the age of 73. He was a member of IHM Church. Cleo also was a member of the Currie Fire Department for 33 years, Currie American Legion Post, Currie Town and Country Boosters, and the Tracy Sportsmen’s Club. Cleo enjoyed spending time with his family, hunting, trapping, trap shooting, camping, ice fishing, bowling, going for rides to check out the duck sloughs and riding around on the pontoon.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley Hames of Currie, MN, two children, Brian Hames of Currie, MN, and Wendy Peterson of Lakeville, MN, three grandchildren, James Hames, and Dalton and Miranda Peterson, two great-grandchildren, Ava and Katelyn Hames, one brother, Raymond Hames and his wife, Kathy of Lakeville, MN, two sisters-in-law, Henrietta Malchow of Detroit Lakes, MN and Joanne Higley and her husband, Steve of San Antonio, TX, one brother-in-law, Ron Visker and his wife, Susan of Windom, MN and several nieces, nephews and their families. He is preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, Henry and Lucille Visker, son-in-law, David Peterson, brother-in-law, Karl Malchow, and nephew, Steven Higley.
Memorial Services will be at IHM Church in Currie, MN on Monday, November 29, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. with Msgr. R. Paul Heiting officiating. The organist is Patty LeClaire. The song leader is LoAnn Hansen. Honorary pallbearers are his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Interment is at Calvary Cemetery in Currie, MN Military honors accorded by the Currie American Legion post.
Visitation will be on Sunday, November 28, 2021, at IHM Church in Currie, MN from 4-6 p.m. and also one hour prior to the services at the church on Monday. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements. To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com