Fatland, James 1916 - 1995

FATLAND, WINTERTON, VELAU, HOLMES

Posted By: Pat Ludeke (email)
Date: 5/21/2013 at 13:55:02

James Fatland was born ... 26, 1916, in Ellsworth, Iowa, the son of Ole and Inger (Winterton)
Fatland. He attended school in Ellsworth prior to moving to Clear Lake with his parents at
age 12. He worked with his father on the family farm before joining the United States
Army to serve during World War II.

In 1947 he married Eva Velau at Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake. The couple farmed south
of Clear Lake, then at Nora Springs before moving to Clear Lake. In March of 1955
he began working construction for Estergard's. One of the first projects he was involved with as
a member of the firm was building the roller coaster at Bayside, Clear Lake. He was also
employed at the Sugar Beet in Mason City during this time.

Later, he and Eva owned the Lake Cafe in the early 1970s. Eva preceded him in death Nov. 19,
1973. He formed J&G Construction Co. in Clear Lake. James continued in construction until
his retirement.

On Jan. 7, 1977 he married Norma Holmes at the Reformed Church in Klemme, Iowa. His
hobbies included playing cards and building bird houses and lawn ornaments. He also made
each of his grandchildren mantle clocks. James was a member of the Ventura United Methodist
Church and V.F.W. Post No. 4868 in Clear Lake.

He is survived by his wife, Norma Fatland, Clear Lake; a daughter, Sinva Opheim and her
husband, Randy, Plymouth, Iowa, and their children, Kari Neuberger, Kyle Neuberger, Aaron
Opheim and Megan Opheim; a daughter, Olina Blasi and her husband, Jim, Hampton, Iowa,
and their children, Chad and Corey Hanneman; a son, Silas Fatland and his wife, Charlene,
Esterville, Iowa, and their children, Nicole and Krystal Fatland; a step-daughter,
Cheryl Lutz and her husband, Randy, Mason City, and their children, Lisa and Jesse Lutz;
a brother, Silas Fatland and his wife, Laurleen Fatland, Clear Lake.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and first wife.