James William ALTWEGG

ALTWEGG, BROWN, JENSEN, ROSS, ALBRACHT, HANCOCK, BEZANIS, LAMB

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 11/29/2013 at 11:00:55

February 14, 1936 --- August 2, 2004

In Loving Memory

James William Altwegg, 68 years old, of Clive, Iowa died on Monday, August 2, 2004 surrounded by family. In his hospital bed at Mercy Hospital, he wrote the following obituary on his final day here on earth:

I was born in Belmond, Iowa on February 14, 1936 to Irma Ruth and James Brown Altwegg in the bad snowstorm of 1936. I had one sibling, Frances Ann. Later followed Gary John. I grew up in Redfield, Iowa and graduated from Redfield High School in 1954. I loved Redfield and still do. After graduation I became a Cyclone at Iowa State University, graduating in 1958. My first teaching job was in Rhodes, Iowa where I taught for two years. One of my great experiences there was I met my best friend, Walt Jensen, who has been a lifelong friend. I couldn't have asked for a better friend.

After Rhodes I took a teaching job at Earlham for three years where I met my lifelong companion, Patricia Elaine Ross. I think she liked my car. We met in February and married in June --there must have been a connection. My mom thought I was going to be a bachelor and she was ecstatic. I was an overachiever when I picked Pat. I got my masters degree in Secondary School Administration from Drake. My first high school principal job was at Collins High School for two years. I moved on to Irwin-Kirkman Junior-Senior High School for four years where I met my mentor, Dick Textor, who taught me all I didn't know. From there I finished my career at Dunlap, where I was junior-senior high principal for 26 years. I enjoyed my job. All the decisions I made were for the kids and education-not for the benefit of Jim Altwegg. The best compliment I ever got in my career was from Mike Teigland who said, "Sometimes you cut it a little close to the cob, but everyone knows where you're coming from." If I felt strongly about something -about kids and education, I couldn't back off. Every activity in school was my top priority because without activities school is nothing.

The highlight of my life are my kids and grandkids. They have made my life richer than you can believe. Every family thinks theirs is the best -so is mine. They have supported me in every way. My worst nightmare is how much they will suffer, but time will heal and all life goes on.
This is my obituary. It's not about me. It's about life. I love every life I have touched. Love Jim

Jim was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church, which was representative of his deep commitment and faith in God. Jim's accomplishments in his life include recognition for 30 years as an athletic director and 38 years of dedicated service to education. In 1999, he was inducted into the Iowa High School Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame at the Boys' State High School Basketball Tournament.

Jim will be deeply missed by his wife, Patricia Altwegg, of Clive, and his four children: Teri Albracht, and her husband, Dave, of Kansas City, KS; James Altwegg and his wife, Andrea, of Las Vegas, NV; Julie Hancock and her husband, Ronnie, of Las Vegas, NV; and Debra Bezanis and husband Brian, of Western Springs, IL, and his ten grandchildren: Courtney, Lindsay, Ryan, and Tyler Albracht; Jimmy and Quinton Altwegg; Bailey and Trevor Hancock; and Nicholas and Mallory Bezanis. He will also be missed by his brother, Gary Altwegg, and his wife, Sharol, of Logan, and sister, Frances Lamb, of Maquoketa, and also many other relatives and friends.

In Loving Memory Of James William Altwegg

Born February 14, 1936 - Belmond, Iowa
Died August 2, 2004 - Des Moines, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICE
Grace United Methodist Church - Des Moines, Iowa
10:30 a.m. August 7, 2004

OFFICATING
Rev. Jackie Bradford

ORGANIST
David Kvernstoen

HYMNS
"Lord You Have Come to the Lake Shore"
"Shall We Gather at the River"

PALLBEARERS
Walt Jensen Jack Gray
Francis Ream Ronnie Hancock
Brian Bezanis Dave Albracht

HONARARY PAULBEARERS
Joe Bride Ron Santema
Robert Dougherty Frank Tamse
Robert Jackson Jerry Jennings
Les Parry John Nielsen

INTERMENT
Earlham Cemetery
Earlham, Iowa

Kuhn Funeral Homes
Dexter Earlham Redfield

James William Altwegg

February 14, 1936 - August 2, 2004

"I'll always be no farther than in the next room waiting for you. Keep me waiting a long time. I love all of you very much and you have been the light of my life."

Love Always,
Grandpa

http://hosting-24981.tributes.com/show/james-william-altwegg-91460701

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Winterset Madisonian - Winterset, Iowa
August 11, 2004

James William Altwegg, 68, of Clive died Aug. 2, 2004, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. Funeral services were held Saturday, Aug. 7, at Grace United Methodist Church in Des Moines with the Rev. Jackie Bradford officiating. Burial was at Earlham Cemetery.

Jim Altwegg was born Feb. 14, 1936, to James Brown and Irma Ruth Altwegg of Belmond. He grew up in Redfield, graduating from Redfield High School in 1954. In 1958, he received his teaching degree from Iowa State University. Jim taught in Rhodes and Earlham. He later received his master's degree in secondary school administration from Drake. He was the principal at Collins High School, Irwin-Kirkman Junior-Senior High School. He was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church. He also was an athletic director for 30 years. In 1999, he was inducted into the Iowa High School Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia of Clive; three daughters, Teri Albracht of Kansas City, Kan., Julie Hancock of Las Vegas, Nev., and Debra Bezanis of Western Springs, Ill.; one son, James Altwegg of Las Vegas, Nev.; a brother, Gary Altwegg of Logan; a sister, Frances Lamb of Maquoketa; and 10 grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements were handled by Kuhn Funeral Homes of Dexter, Earlham and Redfield.