Graichen, William James 'Jim'

William James “Jim” Graichen, 77, of Cedar Rapids, died Friday, Dec. 9, 2011, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy following a long illness. Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, at Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the chapel. Burial will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Jim was born Oct. 21, 1934, in Main Amana, to Johanna Hergert Graichen and William Jacob Graichen.

He has two daughters, Linda Durfey and Lisa Villareal. In 1974, he married Barbara Wright Rowley. They would have celebrated 38 years on March 14.

Jim attended the Amana schools, graduating from Amana High School in 1952. Then he attended Coe College, graduating in 1956. He was active in choir and theater at Coe, belonging to Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (national honorary music fraternity). Jim was an honor graduate with the 5th U.S. Army Intelligence School, Fort Sheridan, Ill., then with the U.S. Army Field Communications School, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

He was a contract administrator and administrative program manager at Rockwell-Collins in Cedar Rapids from 1958 to 1968. He served on the program control staff for Project Apollo. He negotiated and implemented contracts with large airframe manufacturers and foreign airlines.

Jim worked for Kirkwood Community College, beginning in July 1968 for 20+ years as director of Financial Aid Placement and Veterans Affairs, then as financial aid officer in the area of new scholarships developed through the 5-year master plan “Community Partners in Progress” until July 1997.

Jim was a longtime member of the Harmony Hawks Chorus and YMCA. He donated to Coe College and Kirkwood Community College and loved going to the symphony.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; his daughters, Linda Durfey (Robert) of Marion and Lisa Villareal (Tom Ciapi) of Austin, Texas; stepson, Daniel Rowley of Chicago; two granddaughters, Jennifer McDonald (C.J.) of Marion and Danielle Ciapi of Austin,Texas; one great-granddaughter, Brooksley McDonald; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding him in death were his parents; two sisters, Barbara Klingaman and Wilma Jane Haughenbury; and nephew, Bill Haughenbury. Jim also leaves behind his beloved miniature Sheltie, “Lacee.”

Memorials may be directed to the Cedar Valley Humane Society.

We thank all of the people from the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy at our home and the loving care given to our loved one at the beautiful Hospice House.

Please leave a message, tribute or memory to Jim's family on the Web page,  under Obituaries.

Published Dec. 11, 2011, in The Gazette