Van Gronigen, James "Jim" C. 1935 - 2010

VAN GRONIGEN, DELINT, HUISMAN

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/12/2010 at 12:48:25

James "Jim" Van Gronigen

Date of Death
Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Le Mars, Iowa

James “Jim” Van Gronigen, 75, of Le Mars, Iowa passed away Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at his home in Le Mars.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 18, 2010 at United Methodist Church of Le Mars with Reverend Jason Larson officiating. Graveside services will be 1:00 p.m. Monday, October 18, 2010 in Nassau Township Cemetery, rural Alton, Iowa with military rites conducted by the Wasmer American Legion Post 241 of Le Mars, Iowa. Visitation with be after 4:00 p.m. Sunday, October 17, 2010, with the family present after 6:00 p.m., and Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. followed by a Masonic Service, all at Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars, Iowa. Visitation will resume from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Monday at the church.

Pallbearers will be Master Masons, Tom Jeneary,, Bill Young, Vern Harrington, Ted Hallberg, Don Curry, Toby Sullivan, Earl Tammes, and Tracy Wingert. Special Honorary Masonic Pallbearer, Henry Edenfield. Honorary casket bearers will be his nieces and neohews.

James C. Van Gronigen was born July 21, 1935 in Orange City, Iowa, the son of Theodore and Grace H. (DeLint) Van Gronigen. From the starting of his schooling until his graduation, Jim traveled all over the world with his military father, attending different schools from Germany to Guam, with as high as 5 different schools in one year. Jim graduated from high school in Topeka, Kansas.

He was united in marriage to Alberta M. Huisman on February 21, 1956 in Alton, Iowa. In 1957, Jim began serving in the Army Reserve. He was honorably discharged in 1966, after attaining the rank of SFC E-7.

In of August of 1955, Jim began his career with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) at Fort Riley, Kansas. Through the years, he was transferred to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs; K.I. Sawyer AFB in Michigan; Eglin AFB in Florida; Minot AFB in North Dakota; Camp Ederle in Vincenza, Italy; Fort Carson, Colorado; and Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota. In September of 1987 he retired, and moved to Le Mars, Iowa in January of 1988. Jim and Alberta owned and operated Jim’s Fix It Shop, a small engine repair until July of 1999, when he retired for the second time. Alberta passed away June 6, 2008.

Jim was a member of United Methodist Church in Le Mars, Iowa. He was a Master Mason in the Triangle Lodge #568 in Sioux City. He was also a member of the Scottish Rites Valley of Sioux City and secretary of the Floyd Lodge #537 in Orange City, IA for 13 years. He was also active in the Abu Bekr Shrine, having been involved in the “Hospital Dads” for many years. Jim and Alberta enjoyed wintering in Texas after they retired. He enjoyed the times with his grandchildren before their tragic passing. He volunteered his time transporting children to the Shriner’s hospital in the Twin Cities and also the Houston Shriners Hospital while in Texas. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his daughter, Carla (Loren) Nilson of Le Mars, IA; a brother: Ted Van Gronigen and his special friend, Rose of Colorado Springs, CO; 3 sisters in law: Esther (Burdette) Ewoldt of Paulina, IA, Audrey Huisman of Norfolk, NE, Marlys Huisman of Alton, IA; a brother in law: Roger (Karen) Huisman of Saint Ignace, MI; a cousin: Perk van Gronigen of Canton, SD; and several nieces, nephews, and many good friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Alberta; a son: Gary Lee Van Gronigen, age 7; 2 grandsons: Kyle Evan Nilson, age 6, and Kole Andrew Nilson, age 3; and 2 brothers in law: David and Edward Huisman.

Source: Carlsen Funeral Home
Le Mars, Iowa