James was born September 20, 1926 in Orleans Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa to Bertram L. and Lydia C. (Rowley) Perry. He attended country school and then on June 26, 1947 he married Ruth Olson in Riceville, Iowa. He worked many jobs, starting with working on the family farm, for Boeing Aircraft as a laborer and mechanic, heavy equipment operator, plumber, for Scenic Hawkeye Stages as a bus mechanic and charter bus driver, and a school bus driver for the North Winneshiek School. They lived in several places including Winneshiek County, California, and Mabel before moving to Hesper in 1960 where they have lived until moving to Madison, Wisconsin in 2008.
He was a member of the Hesper Friends Church and the Hesper-Mabel Area Historical Society. James and Ruth were avid gardeners and enjoyed having grape arbor, apple orchard, and vegetable gardens over the years. James and Robert Street remodeled a home in Hesper to resemble a log cabin on the inside. He loved working with wood during the winter and thrashing at Steam Engine Days. After retiring, Jim and Ruth got a boat, went fishing, and loved telling the story about the one that got away. Their Miniature Dachshund Frieda gave them much fun and joy. Ruth passed away May 30, 2008.
James passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at Trinity Senior Community in Madison, Wisconsin at the age of 88.
James is survived by a son Doug (Won) of Korea; a daughter Janis (Phil) Emmling of Madison; five grandchildren Brian (Jennifer)Schiltz, and Rhonda (Robert) Stankiewicz, Victoria Perry, Rebekah (Jordan) Worner, and Hanna Perry; a step-grandson Steve Emmling; four great-grandchildren Derek Schiltz, Addison Emmling, JessicaSchiltz, and Adam Stankiewicz.
James' siblings are Caroline Cleveland, Emma Souhrada, Rosalind Lawrence, Margaret Webster, Peggy Carman, Lydia Schultz, Alfred Perry, Leota Fox, Dawn Sayre, Bonnie Baldwin and Robert Perry.
He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth; his parents; a grandson Jamie Perry; and two brothers Alfred and Robert.
Funeral services will be 11 AM Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at the Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel, Minnesota with Pastor Keith Mardockofficiating. Burial will be in the Hesper Public Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home.
Luncheon to be served at the Mabel First Lutheran Church following the service. |
