Wengert, James “Jim” John - 1934-2011

BLUNCK, CARLSON, CAUDURO, CUNNINGHAM, GRUBB, MACKLEM, MCCONNELL, PURDY, SCHWARTZ, SIREK, WEHDE, WENGERT, WILLIAMS

Posted By: Polk volunteer
Date: 10/31/2024 at 14:03:57

James "Jim" John Wengert, 77, died Thursday, October 13, 2011 at his home after struggling with chronic leukemia and lung disease. Jim was born March 23, 1934 to Donald and Margaret Wengert in Sioux City, Iowa and graduated from Central High School in Sioux City.
Jim, a leader of the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO for 33 years, retired at the end of the 1997 convention. A packinghouse worker from Sioux City, he was first elected to the Federation Executive Council in 1964, representing the United Packinghouse Workers. Jim was elected and served in the Iowa House of Representatives from 1965 to 1966. In 1966, he was elected Secretary-Treasurer, and in 1979, President of the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO.
Jim was a man of great courage and conviction, a champion for many throughout his career. He was also known to hunt, fish, and handicap the ponies!
Jim is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joanne Wengert; children, Kathy (Bob) Schwartz, Patty (Guy) Wengert-Cunningham, Jim Wengert Jr., Mary Jo (Bob) Sirek, Susie (Tim) McConnell, Kim (Jeff) Grubb, and Jean (Trent) Carlson; grandchildren, Chris, Michael, and Nicole Schwartz, Michelle (Paul) Cauduro, Joseph (Andrea) Blunck, Connor and Nickolas Cunningham, Dylan and Morgan Purdy, Hannah Sirek, Breten (Kelly) Williams, Wyatt Grubb, and Austin and Madison Carlson; great-grandchildren, Evan, Aubrey, Makayla, Drew, and Jackson; sisters-in-law, Sheila Wengert and Delores Macklem; brother-in-law, Jerry (Louise) Wehde; and many nieces, nephews, and beloved friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, William Wengert.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at St. Mary of Nazareth Catholic Church, 4600 Meredith Drive, with burial to follow at Glendale Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the church with a rosary at 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the American Lung Association of Iowa for research.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Published in Des Moines (IA) Register; Monday, October 17, 2011, page 10A