James B. “Jim” Gnade 1945-2010

GNADE, BEHNKE, EBEL, MUNOZ, PILLSWORTH, QUINONEZ, PLATT, HETLETVEDT

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 21:05:24

James Bertus Gnade of Paullina, Iowa was born on October 5, 1945 in Paterson, New Jersey to Louette (Behnke) and Bert Gnade. He graduated from Hawthorne High School in 1963 and attended Newark College of Engineering in 1964. He entered the Navy Reserves and began active duty in 1967 aboard the submarine USS Halfbeak.

Jim married Jean Ebel on May 16, 1970 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Germantown, Iowa. After spending their first year of marriage living and working in New Jersey, they moved back to Paullina to begin their auto repair business (Gnade Garage) and start their family.

Growing up in New Jersey, Jim learned construction from his father and learned auto mechanics as a member of the Road Rebels Auto Club. His construction skills helped Jim and Jean complete many remodeling projects. Jim had the skill and patience to fix most anything. Jim, Jean and family all enjoyed camping and have wonderful memories of many family camping trips.

He was an active member of Paullina Lions Club and was also a member of the American Legion Post, serving as commander for several years. Jim, along with fellow legionnaires, planned and organized the construction of the Paullina Area Veteran’s Memorial, which was dedicated on Memorial Day, 2010. He also loved collecting Lionel trains and enjoyed both fresh water and salt water fishing. He and Jean also enjoyed hosting foreign exchange students and traveling. Family time and playing cards with friends (shup skup) were favorite activities. Jim drove his trademark car, a white '64 Corvette, through many of Paullina's 4th of July parades. His most cherished treasure was his family.

Jim is survived by his wife, Jean and their children: Joel (Theresa) Gnade of Paullina, Jill Gnade (Joaquin Munoz) of Lincoln, NE., Jeff (Suzie) Gnade of Allen, TX and Jana (Terry) Pillsworth of Lincoln, NE; his grandchildren: Diana Quinonez, Sarah and Joshua Gnade, Kayla and Zachary Gnade and Cassandra and Lillian Pillsworth; a sister, Carol (Dave Platt) of Paullina; a brother, Steven Gnade of Point Pleasant, N.J., and his parents Bert and Louette Gnade, formally of Brick, N.J., as well as many relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Roy H. Ebel, brother-in-law, Daniel Hetletvedt and grandchild Jesse Gnade.

Interment at Prairie View Cemetery

From Eldridge Funeral Home