In Memory of James A. "Jim" Andresen



James A. "Jim" Andresen
James A. "Jim" Andresen
Born: October 20, 1946
Died: June 6, 2016
Age: 69
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James A. "Jim" Andresen
October 20, 1946 - June 6, 2016
From: Ida Grove, IA
James A. “Jim” Andresen, age 69, of Ida Grove, Iowa passed away on Monday, June 06, 2016 at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 10, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Reverend Chad Lierman will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Ida Grove Cemetery, with Military Rites conducted by the McNamara Moore Post No. 61 of the American Legion of Ida Grove, Iowa. A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a Masonic Service at 7:00 p.m., conducted by the Ben Hur Lodge No. 611, on Thursday, June 9, 2016, at the Christensen – Van Houten Funeral Home, of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com


James Allen Andresen was born to Raymond and Helen (Crawford) Andresen in the ‘Old’ Ida Grove Hospital on October 20, 1946. He weighed just 4 pounds 6 ounces and was rushed to Sioux City for care. Dr. John B. Dresssler drove and his dad, Raymond held him in his arms. It is said to have been a very fast trip. He was baptized in the United Methodist Church in Ida Grove.

Jim graduated from Ida Grove High School in 1964 and entered the United States Air Force in December of that year. He was trained as a radar operator and stationed in Sioux City, Iowa and Wadena, Minnesota. In December 1968 he was honorably discharged as an E5 Staff Sergeant.  He attended Dunwoody Industrial Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota earning a diploma in Mechanical Drafting in 1971. Jim returned to Ida Grove and began employment with Bigelow Engineering where he worked until 1988.  During that time he became a Licensed Land Surveyor. He then worked for GOMACO as a CAD designer from 1988-1991 and the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) from 1991 until his retirement in 2007. His tenure with the (DOT) was split between commuting to Sioux City and Ames where he relocated from 1998-2007, returning home to Ida Grove for retirement.

On September 3, 1972 he was united in marriage to Judith Kay Anderson; daughter of James and Donnabelle (Phares) Anderson of Ida Grove. To this union three wonderful children were born: Jon James, Kayleen Dea, and Dana Rachel.

Jim was actively involved in both the Ida Grove and Ames communities.  While in Ida Grove, he was on the Ida Grove Ambulance for 18 years, a Boy Scout Master for 6, served on the Skate Palace Board, and the Board of Review for the Boy Scouts of America.  Jim was a proud member of the following organizations: Order of the Eastern Star, American Legion Post 61, the Jaycees, Relay for Life, and Ida County Pink Walk. He was especially proud of being a member of the Masonic Lodge and a Shriner.  He was active in Kane Lodge, A.F.A.M., the York Rite bodies in Ida Grove and Cherokee, Cyclone Shrine Club (a parade unit of the Shrine), Abu Bekr Shrine in Sioux City, and Za Ga Zig Shrine in Des Moines.

Jim enjoyed reading, walking and riding his bike, his model trains, and was known to be a trivia “king”; especially when it came to the artist of a song or a movie and its cast members. He liked the easy listening music of the 60’s, and had the radio or CD player on wherever he was. He loved attending any and all events involving his children and/or grandkids.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

He is survived by his loving wife, Judy Andresen of Ida Grove, Iowa; his children and grandchildren, Dr. Jon Andresen (Dr. Melanie Frogozo) and daughter Teal of San Antonio, Texas, Kayleen (James) Litterer and children Alex and Kate of Plymouth, Minnesota, Dana (Ryan) Goodman and children Jeren and Dallas McKibbin of Ida Grove, Iowa; sister, Barbara Swanson of Pocatello, Idaho; niece, Ann Swanson and her children Kevin and Meredith Wilson of Pocatello, Idaho; nephew, Dr. Steven (Katy) Swanson and daughter Madelyn of San Diego, California.


SERVICES

10:30 am, Friday,
June 10, 2016

First United Methodist Church
Ida Grove, Iowa

OFFICIATING

Rev. Chad Lierman

CASKET BEARERS

Dale Ullrich
Jack Rupp
Stan Chisholm
Bob Ericksen
Jack Hollmes

VISITATION

4:00 pm to 7:00 pm,
Thursday, June 09, 2016

Masonic Services:
7:00 pm Thursday,
Conducted By
Ben Hur Lodge No. 611

Christensen - Van Houten
Funeral Home
Ida Grove, Iowa

MUSIC

Dixie Brueck, Organist
Trisha Hoffman, Vocalist

Vocalist:
"Whispering Hope"
"May the Good Lord Bless & Keep You"

INTERMENT

Ida Grove Cemetery
Ida Grove, Iowa

Military Rites:
McNamara-Moore Post No. 61
of the American Legion
Ida Grove, Iowa


Condolences


Friday, February 4, 2022 at 11:27 AM
“I do a lot of Ancestry and have run across Jim's name several times. I have often wondered who he was. since we share the exact same name. My sincere condolences for the family's loss. ”
- James Allen Andresen
Sunday, October 16, 2016 at 9:40 AM
“I am so sorry. I just found out about Jim's passing. Jim and I were good friends during our high school years. After high school we stayed in touch for awhile but as time went by we each got busy with our own lives and families and we kind of drifted apart. My wife Joan and I are very sorry for your loss.”
- Jerry Messer
Monday, July 4, 2016 at 8:39 PM
“I am sorry to hear of Jim's passing. I have many fond memories of good times with Jim. My thoughts and prayers will be with you.
- Kenneth Foard
Thursday, June 16, 2016 at 12:16 PM
“Judy, I am very sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you as you mourn.”
- Debra Graham
Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at 1:53 PM
“Judy and family,
I am thinking of you all. I am thankful Jim is no longer suffering and you are relieved of watching. May you all be comforted by your love and memories. Holding you close in my heart.
Connie McCrary”
- Connie Rogge McCrary
Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 6:42 AM
“Jim was a good guy. I enjoyed renting his family farm for 32 years. Due to health issues, I will be unable to attend the funeral.”
- Ray Taphorn and Family
Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at 2:43 PM
“Thinking of all the family at this time. May you find comfort from friends and family and God's comforting hand during this time. ”
- Arlene Wonder
Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at 2:43 PM
“To my aunt and cousins: My heart is with you. I have many memories of summer days in Ida Grove with you all. Moorehead park, the pool, grandma's house, your place. These are good memories! Thanks to your dad and you all for making them. Love, Ann ”
- Ann Swanson
Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at 2:42 PM
“Thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. I always enjoyed are visits and he will always be in my thoughts.








don Schafer”
- DONALD SCHAFER
Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at 10:16 AM
“Judy, Dana & families I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your loved one. I understand how difficult this
journey is. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Perhaps they are not stars but windows where they can look down at their loved ones with happiness because they are free.”
- Patricia Wilson
Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at 10:16 AM
“It was always fun to spend time with JA talking about the "OLD Days" I will truly miss those times.Laughter and happy tears came so easy and fast. My thoughts are with you Judy and the kids. May the knowledge that Jim is with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ bring you peace and comfort.”
- Terry D. Lovett
Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at 10:16 AM
“Judy & Family..... Jim was like a big brother to me in our neighborhood. I loved him dearly....”
- Judy Messer Bauer
Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at 10:10 PM
“My deepest condolences and prayers for comfort and healing for the whole family. My mom (Kathy Kinney Miller) often spoke fondly of the time she spent with Jim in High School, and specifically in the band program. The Andresen family has meant a ton to the Miller family since I have been around and much further back, I am sure. God bless you all!

Luke, Tiffany, Max and Ian Miller

- Luke Miller
Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at 10:10 PM
“SO sorry to hear about Jim... Will miss seeing him at Willow Dale, but he is in a better place.. Hard to see someone your own age go through what he did... May the Lord's love console you and bring you peace. ”
- Mareta Vermeys (Schau)
Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at 10:10 PM
“Judy and family God only takes the best and you will miss him terribly but will always remember the good times. It is kind of ironic he was taken within months of his 70th birthday just like Ed was and It is way too young really but it's not our decision. These guys probably have a lot to talk about. May God comfort all of you in your loss”
- Marilyn Skaren
Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at 6:20 PM
“Thinking of all of you and sending you my love.”
- Jim O'Connor
Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at 6:20 PM
“Andresen family ~

We are so sorry to hear about your loss. My heart aches for you all.
Prayers for peace, healing, and comfort as you face the days ahead.

We can't see the stars every night but we still know they are there.

With love,
Alicia, Brenton & Paige ”
- Brenton & Alicia (Vermeys) Watkins
Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at 6:20 PM
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family during this difficult time. ”
- Sedgwick family
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