James F. Sokolowski 1925-2008

PASTUZAK, SOKOLOWSKI, WEBER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/9/2018 at 11:32:36

Mapleton Press
8 January 2009

James F. Sokolowski 1925-2008

James F. Sokolowski passed away on Saturday, December 13, 2008 in Mapleton at the age of 83 years and 10 days.

Visitation and the vigil wake service were on Wednesday, December 17, 2008, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Danbury.

The Funeral Mass was held on Thursday, December 18, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Danbury. Officiating was Rev. Terry Roder. The Message in Music was provided by Organist Jeannie Theobald and Vocalist Sharyl Bruning.

Pallbearers were Dennis Weber, Mark Weber, Dean Weber, Ed Barkley, Mike Weber, and Stan Seuntjens. Military Honors were conducted by the American Legion Carlson-Frum Post #336 of Danbury. Burial was in Danbury Catholic Cemetery.

James Francis Sokolowski was born on December 3, 1925, in Danbury, Iowa, the son of Anthony "Tony" and Catherine (Pastuzak) Sokolowski. He attended rural schools and St. Patrick's Academy. In March of 1945, James "Jim" joined the U.S. Army and was a Paratrooper with the 101st Airborne. After his discharge, he began farming with J.K. Granter northwest of Danbury.

On September 21, 1948, he married his one true love and best friend, Irma Mae Weber, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Danbury, Iowa. In 1952, they purchased Jim's parents farm, and they and their daughter, Kathy moved there on December 8, 1953. They farmed there until his retirement in 2001, and in December 2006, they sold the acreage and moved to Mapleton, Iowa. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Danbury and the American Legion.

Jim loved farming his land and raising his livestock, especially his cows and calves. Throughout the years, the farm was home not to just cattle and hogs, but horses, geese, ducks, chickens, goats, and a mule and always dogs and cats. He was extremely proud of his Polish heritage and often could be heard jokingly saying that he was a distant cousin of Pope John Paul II.

Jim loved Johnny Cash and polka music, and he and Irma danced many a night away at polka dances in the area. He also had lots of fun dressing in costume and riding his horses in the Danbury Corn Day Parade.

Jim's greatest joy was his family, and together he and Irma passed along their values and work ethic to their children and grandchildren. His bright blue eyes, smile, and laughter are just a few of the many things that will be missed each day.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years; his three daughters, Kathy Wood and husband Doug of Sartell, MN, Joyce Kafton and husband Terry of Mapleton, IA, and Julie Holly and husband Brian of Castroville, TX; a son Kent Sokolowski and wife Rosana of Wenatchee, WA; eight grandchildren, Dr. Eric Wood of Minneapolis, MN, Bryan Wood of Sandstone, MN and his fiancée Katharina Mueller of Soest, Germany, Lisa Talley and husband Randy of Wenatchee, WA, Michael Sokolowski and wife Cassie of San Diego, CA, Sheena Sokolowski of Seattle, WA, and Tammy, Justin, and Toni Kafton of Mapleton, I A; four-step grandchildren Jay and Chris Holly, and Vincent and Tish Damian; two great-granddaughters Brianna Talley and Sophia Sokolowski; brother-in-law Joe Nolan and sister-in-law Freda Book; and many nieces and nephews.

James was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers John and Henry; and five sisters Mary Lee, Helen Nolan, Josephine Johnson, Dorothy Snitily and Jean Callaghan.