James “Jim” C. Blaess, 78, of Camanche, Iowa passed away at home on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. Funeral services take place at 2 pm on Monday, April 11, at Lemke Funeral Homes - South Chapel (2610 Manufacturing Drive). A visitation occurs 2 hours prior from 12 pm until the service hour at the funeral home. Please dress in Iowa Hawkeye, Chicago Cubs or casual attire. Pallbearers will be Lee “Polski” Dohse, Bryan Beal, Amanda Luick, Danielle Turner, Dave Bowman and Gary Hughes. Honorary pallbearers are Ronnie Beal, Bill Conkle, Ron Grahams, Ron Emerson, John Goos, Louis Kraciun and Mike Kooi. Burial takes place at Clinton Lawn Cemetery. Lemke Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements.
James was born April 27, 1943 in Clinton, Iowa the son of Walter and Marjorie (Piper) Blaess. He was a 1961 graduate of Clinton High School. James was united in marriage to Sandy Beal on March 4, 1967 in Camanche, Iowa – Sandy passed away on December 27, 2019.
James started his career working at the Van Allen’s company. Later, her worked at Central Steel and finally, concluded his career working at the Camanche Post Office for 15+ years.
James was raised with a keen interest in weather. Since 1979 he was a volunteer weather observer for the National Weather service, taking that role over from his parents. In 2018, he was presented the Thomas Jefferson award for his service with the National Weather Service.
Along with his wife, James was an avid Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkey fan. He enjoyed playing Horseshoes with the guys and talking sports and politics. James also enjoyed listening to the Beatles. His love of weather brought him closer to nature and he loved tending to his flower garden and tomato plants, as well as taking rides through Scott County Park with his daughter looking for deer and enjoying the scenery. Above all, he loved his daughter and family very much and will be greatly missed.
James is survived by his daughter and best friend – Bambi Blaess of Camanche, Iowa; special nieces – Retha Rubiec and Geri Pursel of California and Cathleen Applo of Hawaii; two brother in-laws – Ronnie (Teresa) Beal of Grinnell, IA and Larry (Lori) Beal of Ankeny, IA; with other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Sandy, one sister and one brother.
Memorials made can be directed to the family.