James Julius Else

James Julius Else was born September 19, 1926 at home on their farm north and west of Schleswig to Julius Else and Ella Bendixen Else. He passed away Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at his home in Schleswig, Iowa.
James was baptized October 17, 1926, by Rev. Schwenk at Trinity Lutheran Church, Grant Township and confirmed April 6, 1941, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Schleswig, where he remained a life-long member. He was given a confirmation verse from Psalm 145:18 &19.
He received his education in Schleswig, graduating in 1944 from Schleswig High School and attended the University of Iowa, later enrolling with the Electric Radio and Television Institute in Omaha, Nebraska. On September 28, 1947 James was united in marriage to Marlyn Mohr at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Schleswig. They were blessed with the birth of a daughter, Vickie. In 1946 James and his father opened Modern Appliance and Hardware in Schleswig, wiring homes and repairing numerous appliances. In 1964 James took on the Thermogas propane business.
James was a member of the Schleswig Volunteer Fire Department and was proud to have served along with his fellow firemen for 27 years. He tried very hard to never miss a meeting and he enjoyed attending the retired firemen’s annual get-together. James received honors even during retirement, the most recent in 2016. Music was an important part of his life. He sang with the Denison chapter of the Barbershoppers for 18 years. He also sang in the church choir, played in the German Band for 68 years and sang in a quartet during the Schleswig’s Calf Show Days. He and Marlyn enjoyed golf, card playing, dancing and traveling; especially in recent years with his daughter Vickie and B.J. He was also an avid reader and especially enjoyed going to the ballgames and programs of his grandchildren and most recently, his great-grandchildren.
Above all, he was a man of faith. He was a gentleman, a kind soul, and loved his family dearly. He made sure they knew just how much each and every time they were together. He had an amazing sense of humor and always had a smile on his face. He will be greatly missed by all.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one infant brother, Julius and a sister Garnet. He is survived by his wife, Marlyn; his daughter Vickie Huebner and her friend, B.J. Kamigaki, all of Schleswig; his three grandchildren, Andrea Schultz and her husband, Larry of Storm Lake; Aaron Huebner and his wife, Andrea of Rochester, Minnesota and Allisa Tiefenthaler and her husband, Jon of Breda; four great-grandchildren, Raymond and Harrison Tiefenthaler and Isla and Hagen Huebner; other relatives and friends.