JAMES MARTIN OVERLAND 1915-2004

SMESTAD, OVERLAND, MARKLEY, ZIEMAN, BRANDT, SUDDENDORF, HAYES, NORTON, SCHUYLER

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/21/2005 at 21:17:04

JAMES MARTIN OVERLAND

James Overland, age 88, of Postville, Iowa, died Monday, February 9, 2004, in the Good Samaritan Center, Postville. Funeral services were held Thursday, February 12, 2004, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville. The Reverend James Allison officiated. Special music was provided by Joann Martins, organist, and vocal music by Sandie Helgerson, Laurel Ohloff, and Kim Schutte. The Schutte Funeral and Cremation Service of Postville was in charge of arrangements. Burial was in the Postville Cemetery.

James Martin Overland was born August 12, 1915, at Rushford, Minn., to Edward J. Overland and Olga Smestad Overland. The first of four children, Jim was baptized September 5, 1915, in the Highland Prairie Lutheran Church at Rushford, Minn., and confirmed May 18, 1930, in the Central Lutheran Church at Winona, Minn. Jim attended schools in Minnesota until his family moved to Postville, where he graduated from high school in 1935.

In 1938 Jim purchased the Allamakee Hatchery from Boies Capper who had owned it for the previous twelve years. At this time, Jim was the youngest owner and operator of a hatchery in the state of Iowa.

On September 12, 1941, Jim was married to Margaret Jean Markley at St. John's Lutheran Church in Waukon. To this union five children were born. Together, over the years, they developed an acreage south of town, which included their home, their hatchery and feed store, and a facility for laying hens for commercial egg production.

They also raised turkeys for a number of years. His work with chickens remained his interest and joy throughout his life.

As a young businessman, Jim had been active in the community, serving as a town councilman, a volunteer fireman, and a member of the Commercial and Kiwanis clubs. He also held offices in the Iowa Poultry Association.

He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church where he had served on the Council and as President of the Church.

He was proud of his Norwegian heritage and loved returning to Highland Prairie, an area settled by his ancestors, for visits with his relatives. Jim enjoyed puttering outdoors, mowing the lawn, cutting wood, smoking his pipe, visiting with customers, watching westerns and getting together with his family.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret; his children, Jennifer (Mark) Zieman of Postville, Jeff Overland of New Haven, Conn., Paula (Lowell) Brandt of Iowa City, and Joel Overland, Spring Green, Wis.; four grandchildren, Wendy (Kevin) Suddendorf of Houston, Texas, Becky (Mic) Hayes of Des Moines, Douglas (Dawn) Zieman of Shueyville, Iowa, and Amy (Dan) Norton of Dubuque, Iowa; two great grandchildren, Kylie and Kole Suddendorf; and sisters-in-law, Shirley Overland of Custer, S.D., and Blanche Overland of Decorah, Iowa; and many other beloved in-laws, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Mark James; a sister and husband, Geneva and Elmer Schuyler; and his brothers Ernest and Robert.

Casketbearers were John Overland, Mark Overland, Paul Overland, Michael Markley, Dennis Markley, Tom Markley, Doug Zieman, Mic Hayes, Dan Norton, and Kevin Suddendorf.

©Waukon Standard 2004
source: Waukon Standard, Waukon, Allamakee Co. IA, 2/17/2004