James W. Wieser

James "JW" Wieser, age 68 of Hastings and formerly of Burnsville, died Friday morning, February 23, 2018, at United Hospital in St. Paul. James William, the son of Rita (Hogan) Donovan, was born on January 27, 1950, in Waterloo, Iowa. At a young age, JW was adopted by Bill and Dorothy Wieser, and later graduated from East High School in Waterloo with the class of 1968. JW continued his education at Iowa Falls Community College where he studied his life-long passion of art from 1968 to 1970. During 1967-1970, JW was the Drum Major for the Chevaliers. He then enrolled in the police academy and began his law enforcement career with Clear Lake Police Department in 1971, and later joined the Black Hawk County Sheriffs Department also in 1971, and retired from law enforcement in 1986. In 1985, he met the love of his life, Kimberly Wittke, and they were later married on June 23, 1999, in Las Vegas. In 1984, JW started World Championship Wrestling. He was a professional wrestler and performed around the United States as "Diamond Jim Reno" and "Jimmy Reno." His dedication to this industry made him a well-known trainer and coach. Following his retirement from wrestling in 1988, JW owned and operated Intercept Intelligence Agency with his wife, Kimberly. Together, they specialized in all types of private investigations, murder cases, and debt collections. They later sold the business in 1994, and moved to Minnesota. JW continued to work in security at Mall of America, and later at Woodwinds Hospital in Woodbury. He also enjoyed driving bus for the Burnsville School District before his final retirement. He then moved to Hastings to be closer to family and to care for his granddaughter, Jasmine. JW was an extremely talented artist. He especially enjoyed focusing on Western and Native American Art, and left many beautiful pieces for his family and friends to cherish. JW also enjoyed horseback riding, camping, dancing, riding motorcycle, traveling the world with Kimberly, and most of all, spending time with his family. JW was a 32nd Degree Mason, and was proud of the true meaning of being a Mason. He was also a longtime member of Hosanna! Lutheran Church in Lakeville. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Dorothy Wieser. JW is survived by his wife, Kimberly Wieser; son, Eric (Lindsay Whipps) Forsythe; grandchildren, Jasmine Forsythe, Austin Whipps, and Emma Hartley; step-daughter, Mellissa Bryan; birth mother, Rita (Hogan) Donovan; and by other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 28, 2018, at Caturia, Smidt Starkson Funeral Home Crematory of Hastings, with Pastor Mike Swecker officiating. Interment will follow the service at Lakeside Cemetery in Hastings. A visitation and reception will be held 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Shriners Hospital for Children, Operation Blessing, or to the donors choice in memory of JW. Arrangements are being completed by Caturia, Smidt Starkson Funeral Home Crematory of Hastings.