Kooker, James Kenneth (1941-2021)

KOOKER, POTTER, OLSON, HANSON, HOVICK, ALLEN, TEAGUE, NORTHROP, REISINGER, ROGERS, HERLONG, HOLT, FAY, YACKLE, STOLT

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 1/3/2022 at 15:44:13

South Hamilton Record News, Jewell, Iowa, February 10, 2021

James Kooker, age 79, formerly of Ellsworth, IA, passed away on Friday, February 5, 2021 at the Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, IA.

A flowing visitation will be held on Friday, February 19 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Ellsworth.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on Saturday, February 20, at 2:00 p.m. Jim's cremated remains will be interred in the Homewood Cemetery near Ellsworth.

Those attending the functions at the church are asked to wear their masks and respect social distancing guidelines.

Boeke Funeral Home of Radcliffe is in charge of arrangements.

James Kenneth Kooker was born on March 31, 1941 on a farm near Curlew, IA. He was one of four children born to Emory and Audrey (Potter) Kooker.

He grew up between Emmetsburg and Armstrong. He received his education by attending country school and later went to school in Armstrong.

Jim worked as a hired man for various farmers. He soon met his wife to be and he was united in marriage to Joyce Olson in Jackson, MN. After their marriage, they lived in Radcliffe and then to Ellsworth, where all four kids graduated from South Hamilton School District. Jim continued to work as a hired man for most of his life. He and Joyce operated a cafe in Ellsworth for several years. Jim worked at Thompson Hatchery, Louis Rich, PALS of Ellsworth, Merlyn Hegland and the Ellsworth Professional Carwash in Ellsworth prior to moving to Bethany Life Communities in 2018.

Jim was a former member of the Ellsworth Fire Dept. and a current member to the Trinity Lutheran Church in Ellsworth.

He enjoyed bowling, playing cards and watching sports.

Those thankful for having shared his life include two sons Rick (Janine) Kooker of Ellsworth, IA and Carroll Hanson of Silver Spring, MD; his two daughters Robin (Keith) Hovick of Ellsworth, IA and Cynthia (Jim) Allen of Dover, FL; grandkids Amanda Rogers (Chad) Teague, Crestview, FL, Matt (Jamie) Northrop, Stanhope, IA, Melanie (Ryan) Reisinger, Ellsworth, IA, Dustin Kooker, New Hampton, IA, Devin Kooker, Ellsworth, IA, Jacob Kooker, Ames, IA; great-grandkids Logan Rogers, Mikayla Herlong, Aiden Teague, Paul Teague, Parker Teague, McKenzie Northrop, Xavier Reisinger, Miles Northrop, Ashton Kooker, Brayden Kooker, Mila Kooker and Masynn Reisinger; one sister Jackie (Byron) Holt of Lake Mills, IA; along with many other relatives and friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, wife Joyce, granddaughter Megan Shelby Fay and two sisters Karen Yackle and Carol Stolt.