Louis (Louie) James WheelerFebruary 12, 1943 - December 20, 2007 Louis (Louie) James Wheeler passed away at his home on December 20, after a difficult and courageous battle with familial CJD, which came suddenly and progressed rapidly. Born February 12, 1943 in Duluth, MN, Louie grew up and lived much of his life in Minnesota. He enjoyed manicuring his gun collection, hunting wild game, fishing, canoeing, water skiing, four-wheeling, and snowmobiling. So many people's lives were touched through Louie from his love of the outdoors and all that Mother Nature had to offer. He was an avid reader, and was known as "Mr. Fix-it" for he could fix or create anything. He recently retired to Albany, Oregon after many years of being a short and long haul truck driver, having driven over 3,000,000 miles. His passions were riding his ATV in the beautiful Oregon Cascade Mountains and spending time on the Oregon Coast with his wife. He enjoyed and felt so loved by his church and by those in his Christ Care Group. Louie felt such peace and assurance knowing he was going to be with the Lord. Survived by his loving & caring wife Connie; daughter Dawn Reimer and husband Billy of Champlin, MN; son John Wheeler of Blaine, MN; daughter Michelle Reis and husband Jason of Willard, WI; daughter Tammy Johnston and husband Greg of Oakland, CA; step-daughter Stephanie Gebhard and husband Peter of Oak Harbor, WA; six grandchildren Dustin, Tyler, Kayla, Collin, Ethan, and Aidan; and step-granddaughter Gabriella; sister Esther Myers of Embarrass, MN; and sister Alice Eliason of Mounds View, MN. The family would especially like to thank Dr. Connie Hume-Rodman, Dr. Raymond Englander, and Dr. Rong Wang, as well as Nurse Sharon from Hospice, Kim and Virginia from "Living Angels", Pastor Terry, and friend Sandi Taylor and Tom AAsum who went above and beyond. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 28, in Albany, OR at Immanuel Lutheran Church, with Pastor Terry Merrill officiating. The family is asking that memorials be made in the form of a donation to "The Wheeler Family" at the UCSF - Aging and Memory Center, as to assist with the research and treatment of CJD. Please visit Louis' blog at http://louiswheeler.blogspot.com for more information, or to post comments for the family. Arrangements are by AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home ( www.aasum-dufour.com ).