James “Jim” Thomas Honn

James “Jim” Thomas Honn

Amana

James “Jim” Thomas Honn was born February 15, 1941, Iowa City, Iowa, the son of James G. (Tommy) and Verna (Brown) Honn. He grew up in Marengo and graduated from Iowa Valley High School in 1959. While he was young, he worked at the Me Too grocery store with his father, who managed the store. After high school, he attended the University of Iowa. He enlisted in the United States Army and served in Thailand from 1962-1964 and was a proud Veteran. Jim was united in marriage to the love of his life, Mary “Frankie” Specht on November 14, 1964 in Oxford, Iowa. Jim and Frankie enjoyed dancing in the 1950s and early 1960s and throughout their marriage. They also enjoyed traveling the world together in their retirement. Jim’s career was with Amana Refrigeration; he was the Iowa dealer sales manager, retiring in 1995.

If you heard someone say, “Jim was an active community member,” that would be the grandest of understatements. Please hold on to your hats:

Jim was a devoted member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Marengo where he served on the board, as a lector, and sang in the choir. In his final days, he prioritized reading the Bible and prayer, with Psalm 23 being a favorite.

He was a man who lived out his faith in service to others, helping friends and neighbors, and was always willing to lend a hand. He volunteered at Marengo Senior Dining, serving and delivering meals for many years as well as Meals on Wheels. Jim also volunteered as a poll worker for Iowa County elections.

Jim loved music, being a big supporter of his family’s music events. A talented Iowa All-State singer, Jim was a longtime member of The Believers singing group. A frequent bass soloist and member of the quartet, they performed at area nursing homes and community events. Jim was often asked to sing for funerals throughout the area.

A people person, Jim enjoyed many activities with friends and family. He was a big University of Iowa Hawkeye Men’s and Women’s Basketball and Football fan, attended an annual Iowa Basketball game with his family and watched games at home surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Jim enjoyed playing bridge, and was a member of bridge clubs in Amana, Marengo, and Williamsburg for many years.

As a member of the American Legion, he served as the Cash Man at bingo nights.

Most of all, golf was a lifetime passion Jim enjoyed with his son, Tim and a boundless number of friends. He passed his love of the sport on to his grandchildren. Jim not only played golf in regular and weekly tournaments in Marengo, Vinton, Shellsburg, and Belle Plaine, but also coordinated local tournaments. For the pro-am Amana VIP Golf Tournament from 1967-1990, he served as guest relations to entertain the celebrities and organize their stay. He would play in best shot golf tournaments and brought home the literal bacon (and steaks) back in the day. He would record tournaments to watch after he was done playing golf for the day and would spend his winters beside his beloved wood-burning stove, doing his exercises to stay limber and practicing putting.

Jim died on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids, at the age of 84 years. Jim will be dearly missed as a devoted husband, dad, grandpa and great-grandpa.

He is survived by three children: Jennifer (Shawn) Sandersfeld of Middle Amana, Amy (Izzy) Kalinchuk of Denver, Colorado and Tim (Jess) Honn of Oxford; ten grandchildren: Erich (Kari) Sandersfeld, Hannah (Kaleb) Gehman, Gunther Sandersfeld, Berend Sandersfeld, Jürgen Sandersfeld, Anton Sandersfeld, Reiner Sandersfeld, Otto Sandersfeld, Kira Kalinchuk, and Griffin James Honn; two great-grandchildren, Dax Sandersfeld and Rory Sandersfeld; and sister, Nancy Phares of Denver, Colorado. He was preceded in death by his sister Judy Rawson, his parents, and his wife Frankie.

The family thanks Compass Memorial Hospital and the St. Luke’s Intensive Care Unit for their exceptional care for Jim.

Funeral Mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Marengo. Fr. Scott Lemaster will be officiating. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Marengo with military rites. Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 p.m. Monday, October 13, 2025 at Powell Funeral Home in Marengo with a Rosary Service at 3:30 p.m. A memorial fund has been established for Marengo Senior Dining. Powell Funeral Home in Marengo is caring for Jim and his family. Messages may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.