In Memory of James A. "Jim" Andresen
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
”
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”
don Schafer”
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.”
Luke, Tiffany, Max and Ian Miller
”
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 ”