James Ehresman

JAMES EHRESMAN

Tipton

James "Jim" K. Ehresman, 71, of Tipton, died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, at the hospice unit at Mercy Iowa City. Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at United Methodist Church, Tipton, with burial

to follow in the Rochester Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at Fry Funeral Home, Tipton.

A memorial fund has been established in his memory.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fry funeralhome.com.

Jim was born to Mary Dolores (Hartley) Ehresman and Dale Ehresman on April 9, 1943, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He graduated from Tipton High School in 1961, and attended both the University of Iowa and UNI before joining the Iowa Highway Patrol in 1966. While in the Iowa State Patrol, he lived in Oelwein, Mount Pleasant, LeClaire and Altoona, where he ended his 33-year career as a major at the headquarters in Des Moines. As he moved through the ranks he received recognition for the various technical accident investigation schools, hostage negotiation, tack team leader, and attended the 168th session of the FBI National Academy Associates in Quantico, Va., from January until March in 1992.

In 2001, he and his wife, Bev, retired to their hometown of Tipton. There he enjoyed working with a local carpenter.

On June 5, 1964, Jim married his wife, Beverly (Kohl) Ehresman, and together they had three children. Jamey (Rick) Varney, Jody (Mark) Crooks and Jeffrey (Jennifer) Ehresman. They have seven beloved grandchildren, Shelby, Gabriel and Jackson Varney, Andrew, Nathan and Daniel Crooks and Jordyn Ehresman.

Jim was a member of the United Methodist Church, belonged to the Northeast Iowa Peace Officers Association, State Patrol Supervisors Association, Board of Adjustments, Methodist Trustees committee and the Tipton Country Club. He enjoyed many activities, including hunting, fishing, camping, boating, golfing, woodworking, gardening, and especially family.

Jim is survived by his wife, Beverly; daughters, Jamey (Rick) Varney of Decorah and Jody (Mark) Crooks of West Burlington; his son, Jeffrey (Jennifer) Ehresman of Des Moines; seven grandchildren; one brother, Thomas (Mary) Ehresman of Tipton; two sisters, Dalene McKinnon of Cedar Rapids and Janice Hetherington of Des Moines; plus many brothers and sisters-in-laws, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his mother and father-in-law; and one sister, Jean Britcher.

Jim touched the lives of many people and will be greatly missed by family and many, many friends.