Kallevang, James Melvin 1912 - 2013

KALLEVANG, MUNDT, FOUNTAIN, DOANE, KNOPF, ODE, DAVIS

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:42

James Melvin Kallevang, 100 years old of Cresco, IA, passed away on Saturday, January 26, 2013 which was the 8 year death anniversary of his wife Ruth. Jim was born on April 17, 1912, in rural Winneshiek County, Decorah, Iowa, to Julius and Helga Kallevang. He attended school in Springfield Township near Decorah. Jim married Ruth Mundt on May 5, 1938, at Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia, Iowa. Jim and Ruth farmed for 39 years in the Decorah and Cresco areas. During his lifetime of farming, Jim became a steward of soil conservation and firmly believed in and practiced soil conservation. He became a district soil conservation commissioner for Howard County and served for twelve years, four of those years as chairman. He also worked for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) measuring land for farm programs. Jim retired from farming 1977 and moved to the Cresco community where he worked many odd jobs in carpentry. He was an active member and officer in many organization: First Lutheran Church, Farm Bureau, Odd Fellows Lodge, Rebekah Lodge, the Sons of Norway and Square Dancing organizations. Jim’s many interests included fishing, camping, telling stories, carpentry, wood crafting, card playing and dancing. He especially enjoyed square dancing and was a caller in the Cresco area. He also taught the art of square dancing to area youth. Jim and Ruth spent many winters in Texas and Florida. Jim is survived by three children, Rosalie (Bob) Fountain of Rochester, MN, Carol (Dutch) Doane of Little Cedar, IA and Jens (Jane) Kallevang of Waukon, IA; a sister, Mildred Knopf of Decorah, IA; a sister-in-law, Marvel Ode of Lanesboro, MN; nine grandchildren; seventeen great-granchidlren; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ruth; a grandchild, Jessica Kallevang and a sister, Helen Davis.

Cemetery:
Decorah Lutheran Cemetery

Source: Lindstrom Funeral Home database

Lutheran Decorah Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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