Hess, James

James Hess, 84, of Olin, died Friday, Oct. 25, 2013, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Funeral services for Jim Hess will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Olin, with military honors. Burial will be at a later date in the Olin Cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday at Lahey Funeral Home in Olin.

Jim Hess was born April 13, 1929, in Elgin, Ill., son of Allen and Opal Anderson Hess. He had attended Western State University and Iowa State College and had served in the Air Force during the Korean conflict. He married Dianne J. Mason on April 1, 1956, in Geneseo, Ill. She passed away June 29, 1976. He later married Maxine Townsend on Oct. 26, 1977. She preceded him in death Oct. 15, 2010.

He had worked for Pax Company of Coldwater, Ohio, selling confinement systems until his retirement in 1995.

He was a very active member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Maquoketa. Jim had also served as post commander for Blayney Miner Ahrendsen American Legion Post 412 in Olin. He had served on various economic development boards, was active with the Advancement Services board, and was a master woodworker.

He loved life and people and was devoted to his family and friends. He was very proud of all their children and grandchildren and loved spending time with them. Jim always had a smile and was ready to help people.

Surviving are his son, Jan Hess of Truckee, Calif.; daughters, Rebecca (Keith) Brecht and Amy (Johnny) Rammelsberg of Olin, Joni (Randy) Schmith of Lincoln, Neb., and Judy (Jim) Hopkins of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Shauna (Nick) Barton, Andrew, Stacy (Kevin Williams) Steiner, Durham, N.C., Katlyn (Wes Middleswart) Steiner, Cedar Rapids, Jesse (Danielle Starr) Brecht, Cedar Rapids, McKenzie (Derek Barber) Brecht, Martelle, Nicholas (Anne) Schmith, Omaha, Neb., Natalie (Phillip) Schaefer, Missoula, Mont., Abby (David) Synhorst, Omaha, Neb., Stephanie (Sam) Goodman and Grace Rammelsberg, Virginia Beach, Va.; great-grandchildren, Owen and Abbigail Goodman, Virginia Beach, Va., Cole and Anna Barton, Andrew, Maddox Middleswart, Cedar Rapids, and Hudson Brecht, Cedar Rapids.

Memorials may be given to Advancement Services of Jones County or St. Luke's Hospice.

Published Oct. 27, 2013 in The Gazette