James Joseph Kaplan, 1938 – 2010

KAPLAN, CIBULA, VEIT, GLOTFELTY, GAPSTUR, SIMMONS, CARLETON, SHEDA

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 4/8/2011 at 17:04:13

Funeral services for James Joseph Kaplan, 72, of rural Chelsea, were Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010, at Hrabak Funeral Home, Belle Plaine, with the Rev. Charles Johnson of the United Methodist Church in Chelsea officiating. Burial was in Rector Cemetery, Chelsea. Mr. Kaplan died Nov. 4, 2010, at his rural Chelsea home.

Pallbearers were Fran Musel, John Behounek, Ray Coleman, Paul Kratoska, Roger Formanek and Nick Veit.

Music was provided by organist, Judy Ochs, and vocalist, Anna Upah.

James Joseph Kaplan was born April 21, 1938, the son of Edward and Mayme Cibula Kaplan, on a farm six miles south of Chelsea. He attended school at Chelsea where he met Carol Veit. They married Nov. 26, 1956, and rented a farm near his parents’ home where Jim farmed for several years while three children were born: Bev, Judy, and Ken. They then moved to Grinnell where Jim worked as a muffler welder at Donaldson’s. In 1966, Peggy was born and the family moved back to the country where Jim and Carol rented a house for a year while they worked on a farmstead they purchased adjoining Jim’s parents’ place. A fifth child, Jimmy, was born and the family of seven remained at the farmstead.

Jim learned how to run and maintain a kidney dialysis machine when Carol’s kidneys failed. He administered her dialysis at home until Carol’s sister, Deb Sheda, could donate a kidney 27 years ago. He unfalteringly took care of his wife during additional health problems.

As their children grew and eventually moved away, Jim and Carol planned their dream home. Ten years ago, their dream came true when they built their home south of Belle Plaine. Jim began collecting antique tractors. He fixed and painted them, and invited family and friends to drive several to participate in 4th of July parades in Belle Plaine. He also took up woodworking and made an assortment of shelving, potato/trash bins, state quarter maps, etc.

Jim was an exceptionally caring individual who dearly loved his family and friends. We will remember Jim for his kind heart and deep love and devotion for his wife Carol, who passed away Nov. 7, 2010.

He was a trustee at Chelsea United Methodist Church and a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

He is survived by his children, Beverly Glotfelty (Bruce Gapstur), Marengo; Judy (Nick) Simmons, Victor; Ken (Sarah) Kaplan, Victor; Peggy (Gary) Carleton, Cedar Rapids; and Jim (Wendy) Kaplan, Marengo; brother-in-law, Jerry Veit, Chelsea; sister-in-law, Debra (John) Sheda, Independence; 18 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Hrabak Funeral Home in Belle Plaine was in charge of arrangements.

Hrabak Funeral Home, Belle Plaine, Iowa