Wakeman, James (Jim) Eugene 1929 -2006

WAKEMAN, HEYL, NICHOLS, DEWEY

Posted By: Doris Hoffman (email)
Date: 8/9/2010 at 12:33:35

James E. “Jim” Wakeman, 76, of Akron, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at the Akron Care Center in Akron, Iowa.

Services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 1, 2006 at Carlsen Funeral Home – Schroeder Chapel in Akron. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Akron, Iowa. Visitations will be after 4:00 p.m. Friday, June 30, 2006, with the family present after 6:00 p.m., all at the funeral home. Visitations will resume 1 hour prior to the funeral on Saturday at the funeral home.

Casket Bearers: Bruce Wangerin, Derrick Wangerin, Randy Willms, Armin “J.D.” Nelson, Kenny Waag, and Dave Linden. Honorary Casket Bearers: Cliff Waag, Bob Lias, Bob Fletcher, Paul Bringman, Dave Bringman, Ray Waag, Gene Miller, Jon Spicher, Tim Linden, Ernie Wangerin, and Wally Wagner.

James Eugene Wakeman was born December 25, 1929 on the family farm in Montrail County, North Dakota, the son of Glenn and Muriel (Nichols) Wakeman. In 1934, he and his family moved to a farm in Union County, South Dakota. He attended Hoyt country school in Union County, South Dakota and later Akron High School. He was united in marriage to Mary Heyl. Together, they had several foster children. Later, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Dewey. He had several stepchildren. Later, he had a special wife, Lee Essick, and together raised her four youngest children.

Jim worked part time jobs in Sioux City at Jolly Time Popcorn and at the Sioux City stockyards. He also helped out as a hired hand for area farmers. He helped his father for many years on the family farm. He raised sheep, as well as a few cows, pigs, goats, and a horse or two. His animals seemed to know him on a first name basis. When he retired to town, he spent much of his time doing yard work and built a nice little business of mowing and trimming lawns for as long as we was able. He was a loving son and caregiver for his parents during their declining years.

He loved hunting, fishing, and trapping. He had a good eye for spotting pheasants where no one else could see them. He loved attending auctions and rarely missed an odd and exotic bird or animal sale. He enjoyed baseball and had played on the Westfield ball team. His favorite baseball team was forever the Atlanta Braves. He enjoyed card parties, at which he was very good. He always had a jig saw puzzle spread out on a table to work on in the evenings. His favorite pass time was driving to town for a cup of coffee with his buddies. Jim has a knack for forecasting the weather. If you wanted to know what the weather was going to do, turn off the TV and radio and have Jim go out and look at the sky – his accuracy was mind-boggling. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his “special wife”, Lee Essick of Alcester, SD; a sister: Barbara Linden of Coralville, IA; brother-in-law: Gene Miller of Sioux City, IA; 5 step-children: Cathy Nelson of Sioux City, Bruce Wangerin of Hawarden, IA, Derrick Wangerin of Worthing, SD, Ernie Wangerin of Navarre, FL, and Elsie Dooley of Alcester, SD; many step grandchildren; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 3 sisters: Pearl Ann Wakeman, in infancy, Colleen Demaree and Doris Miller; and a brother in infancy: Robert Dale Wakeman.

Carlsen Funeral Home
Akron, Iowa