Mentzer, James K.

James K. Mentzer, 71, of Cedar Rapids, died Friday, Aug. 3, 2012. Funeral Mass: 11 a.m. Monday at St. John Catholic Church, Placid, Iowa, by the Rev. Tom McDermott. Interment: St. John Cemetery, Placid. A visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel and after 10 a.m. Monday at the church.

Jim is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lou Ann; sons, Mark (Becky) Mentzer of Ely, Tim Mentzer of Amana, and Jon (Cecilia) Mentzer of Denver, Colo.; a daughter, Jana (Kevin) Dibel of Marion; sister, Patricia (Roger) Meyer of Dubuque; four grandchildren, John, Benjamin and Samuel Dibel and Lia Mentzer; sisters-in-law, Thelma Loes, Lois (Bob) Ludwig, Margie (Joe) Sherwin and Linda (Larry) Hoefer; and two brothers-in-law, Al (Yvonne) Urbain and Fred (Phyllis) Urbain.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Joe Urbain.

Jim was born Aug. 16, 1940, in Dubuque, to Kenneth and Evelyn Mentzer. He attended St. Patrick Grade School, Loras Academy and Loras College where he excelled academically and athletically. He married Lou Ann Urbain Sept. r 2, 1961, in Epworth. They moved to Cedar Rapids in 1976, where he was employed by Network Data Processing for many years. In 1994, they moved to St. Louis where he worked for Catholic Knights of America until 2003, when he retired to Cedar Rapids.

Jim's favorite pastimes included golfing, fishing and a challenging Sudoku puzzle. He also enjoyed any time spent with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the doctors and all staff at St. Luke's Hospital, especially the nurses in the Cardiac Intensive Care and Three Center for their compassion and expertise.

Online condolences may be directed to under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette Aug. 4, 2012.