Stille, James (1920-2009)

STILLE, BURKHARDT, JONES, RADKE, LUBECK, WOODKE, BOAZ, ROBERTSON, MCVAY, BONANNO, WINSLOW, BOONE

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 12/27/2009 at 16:19:39

James Stille - Feb. 11, 1920 - Jan. 17, 2009

James “Jim” Stille, age 88, of Alta, Iowa and formerly of Schaller, Iowa, died Saturday, January 17, 2009 at Sunset Knoll Care and Rehab Center in Aurelia, Iowa.

James Arthur Stille was born February 11, 1920, to Arthur and Ella (Burkhardt) Stille on a farm, north of Schaller, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at the Emmanuel Reformed Church of Schaller. Then, he joined the First Presbyterian Church in Schaller and later was a faithful member of the Lakeside Presbyterian Church in Storm Lake.

His schooling began in a country school and later attended Schaller High School, graduating in 1937. After graduation, Jim was invited to play baseball with the Storm Lake White Caps. Later, he signed a professional contract with the St. Louis Cardinals and played in their farm system in 1938 and 1939. In 1940, Jim pitched for the bearded House of David. They were a team from Michigan that traveled the western states. A special highlight, of Jim’s, was pitching against Satchel Page. He also pitched at the Worlds Fair, under the bridge in San Francisco.

In 1940, Jim signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers and played in their farm system at Dayton, Ohio. In 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, which ended all farm teams in the majors. During the late 40’s and early 50’s, Jim played for and managed the Schaller Red Caps in the Iowa State League. He was known for his blazing fast ball and sharp breaking curve.

On February 26, 1941, Jim married Jean Jones at The Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. This union was blessed with four children: Kent, Sue, Ann and Jan. Jim and Jean operated the Standard Oil Station in Schaller. Later, Jim farmed and developed a successful livestock business. In 1974, they moved to Lake Creek, where Jim continued his cattle buying business, until he suffered a stroke in 1997. In April of 2008, he entered Sunset Knoll Care and Rehab Center in Aurelia.

Jim remained an avid sports fan his entire life. He loved all sports, at all levels, from his beloved Yankees and Iowa Hawkeyes to the many Little League games played by his grandchildren. Jim loved them all. He will be missed by many along the sidelines and in the bleachers, all over northwest Iowa.

Jim was a very out going and personable individual, whose smile and friendly nature was a natural attraction for everyone he met and those of us lucky enough to have known him. He was an inspiration and positive influence to many young and old. Jim seemed to never allow his physical restrictions to slow him down or diminish his love for life.

Left to cherish his memory are his three daughters: Sue Radke and her husband, Myron of Aurelia; Ann Lubeck of Sac City, Iowa; and Jan Woodke of Gladstone, Missouri; eight grandchildren: Mark and Sarah Boaz of Omaha, Nebraska; Matt and Jody Radke of Sheldon, Iowa; Amy and Greg Robertson of Marion, Iowa; Sara and John McVay of Omaha, Nebraska; Tom and Laura Radke of Overland Park, Kansas; Brian Lubeck of Poland; Josh Woodke of Iraq; Jennifer Woodke of Gladstone, Missouri; twelve great grandchildren; one sister, Eleanor Bonanno of Edmonds, Washington; two sisters-in-law, Jan Jones of Alta, Iowa and Donna Jean Winslow of Spencer, Iowa; one brother-in-law, George Boone of Bellevue, Washington; extended family and many friends.

Preceding Jim in death were his parents; his wife, Jean; his son, Kent; his brother, Roy Stille; two brothers-in-law: Lowell Jones and Justin Bonanno; and a sister-in-law, Geraldine Boone.

Services for Mr. Stille will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2009 at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake, Iowa. Burial will be in the Schaller Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake on Friday, January 23rd, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., where the family will be present. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

Copyright © 2009 Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home

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