James Louis "Jim" Reese, 95, of Storm Lake passed away on Sept. 17, 2021 in Stevens Point.
Funeral services will take place Wednesday, Sept. 22, at 2 p.m. at United Methodist Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery in Storm Lake. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to designate a live tree memorial in various Storm Lake locations dear to Jim. Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
On Dec. 19, 1925, Jim was the first born of three children to Thomas and Marie (Ryan) Reese in Sioux City. He grew up in Larchwood where he attended school before moving to Storm Lake in 1943 for his senior year.
After graduation, Jim was inducted into the Army on June 6, 1944 and served in Italy during WWII. He enrolled in Buena Vista College in Storm Lake for the fall semester in 1946 and in January of 1947, was employed by the Storm Lake Post Office. Although Jim had his sights set on becoming a high school coach, the opportunity for full employment for the postal service was too good to pass up. He was called back into the service in the fall of 1950 and served in Korea for a year. Jim then returned to the Post Office where he served as a letter carrier, clerk and supervisor of postal operations until he retired in September 1983. However, retirement wasn't in the cards for long; he needed something to do. Jim became a salesman for Wick Buildings working through Taylor Contracting in May 1984 until his second retirement 27 years later in February 2011.
Jim met Elaine Weimer at a dance in Storm Lake at the Cobblestone Inn in 1945. They could really cut a rug! They married on June 22, 1947 at the Storm Lake Methodist Church. In 1954 Jim saw an ad for US Homes out of Des Moines in the Sears and Roebuck catalog. After the birth of their third child, Jim and Elaine bought a lot on Renshaw Drive, hired a local contractor and built the house that would become their home for 64 years.
In 1956 with a six year old boy at home, Jim thought Storm Lake needed some kind of youth baseball program. He approached the Community Chest board and secured $500 to start a program for eight teams of 10-12 year olds. By year three, Jim had expanded the program to include 8-9 and 13-15 year olds for a total of 375 Storm Lake ballplayers. They each paid $1 to join which covered insurance. Local organizations including Hy-Noon, Beaver Kiwanis, Rotary, Elks Club, Fire Department, Amvets and Lions were contacted and convinced to donate $100 per year for a uniform fund. East Field at East Elementary School was the original home for youth baseball and continues to be used to this day with a plaque in Jim's honor as Little League President 1956-1987. Jim spent untold hours each spring and summer organizing teams, umpires and announcers, as well as dragging and liming the fields for the boys to play ball.
In 1951, Jim began officiating high school football and basketball, not only for his interest in sports but more importantly to supplement the family income. He was a referee for 20 years including for girls' basketball which was half court at the time. On a Friday night during the halftime of a class 3-A state tournament championship game, Jim was inducted into the Official's Hall of Fame in Des Moines. It was a proud moment for the whole family.
Jim was an avid golfer and was a very proud charter member of Lake Creek Country Club. When loading the car for any trip, the clubs went in the trunk first. Jim enjoyed following the Buena Vista Beavers, Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes. He also worked in the Press Box at Buena Vista College for 30 years and enjoyed coffee with the guys at Sportsman's in the morning before they opened.
Jim and Elaine enjoyed vacationing in Florida in the winter. Through Wick buildings and Taylor Contracting they enjoyed traveling to Jamaica, Disney World, Nashville, Cancun and the Bahamas. They also loved to play cards, (bridge and pitch), and go out dancing at The Cobblestone.
Jim was a husband, dad and grandpa first and foremost with a kind, generous and loving heart. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh. Growing up in the great depression instilled a work ethic that would steer many life decisions. Work hard, take care of your family, support your friends and neighbors, and promote your community. Jim truly loved Storm Lake, his little slice of heaven.
Storm Lake Times, 20 Sep 2021
Funeral services will take place Wednesday, Sept. 22, at 2 p.m. at United Methodist Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery in Storm Lake. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to designate a live tree memorial in various Storm Lake locations dear to Jim. Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
On Dec. 19, 1925, Jim was the first born of three children to Thomas and Marie (Ryan) Reese in Sioux City. He grew up in Larchwood where he attended school before moving to Storm Lake in 1943 for his senior year.
After graduation, Jim was inducted into the Army on June 6, 1944 and served in Italy during WWII. He enrolled in Buena Vista College in Storm Lake for the fall semester in 1946 and in January of 1947, was employed by the Storm Lake Post Office. Although Jim had his sights set on becoming a high school coach, the opportunity for full employment for the postal service was too good to pass up. He was called back into the service in the fall of 1950 and served in Korea for a year. Jim then returned to the Post Office where he served as a letter carrier, clerk and supervisor of postal operations until he retired in September 1983. However, retirement wasn't in the cards for long; he needed something to do. Jim became a salesman for Wick Buildings working through Taylor Contracting in May 1984 until his second retirement 27 years later in February 2011.
Jim met Elaine Weimer at a dance in Storm Lake at the Cobblestone Inn in 1945. They could really cut a rug! They married on June 22, 1947 at the Storm Lake Methodist Church. In 1954 Jim saw an ad for US Homes out of Des Moines in the Sears and Roebuck catalog. After the birth of their third child, Jim and Elaine bought a lot on Renshaw Drive, hired a local contractor and built the house that would become their home for 64 years.
In 1956 with a six year old boy at home, Jim thought Storm Lake needed some kind of youth baseball program. He approached the Community Chest board and secured $500 to start a program for eight teams of 10-12 year olds. By year three, Jim had expanded the program to include 8-9 and 13-15 year olds for a total of 375 Storm Lake ballplayers. They each paid $1 to join which covered insurance. Local organizations including Hy-Noon, Beaver Kiwanis, Rotary, Elks Club, Fire Department, Amvets and Lions were contacted and convinced to donate $100 per year for a uniform fund. East Field at East Elementary School was the original home for youth baseball and continues to be used to this day with a plaque in Jim's honor as Little League President 1956-1987. Jim spent untold hours each spring and summer organizing teams, umpires and announcers, as well as dragging and liming the fields for the boys to play ball.
In 1951, Jim began officiating high school football and basketball, not only for his interest in sports but more importantly to supplement the family income. He was a referee for 20 years including for girls' basketball which was half court at the time. On a Friday night during the halftime of a class 3-A state tournament championship game, Jim was inducted into the Official's Hall of Fame in Des Moines. It was a proud moment for the whole family.
Jim was an avid golfer and was a very proud charter member of Lake Creek Country Club. When loading the car for any trip, the clubs went in the trunk first. Jim enjoyed following the Buena Vista Beavers, Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes. He also worked in the Press Box at Buena Vista College for 30 years and enjoyed coffee with the guys at Sportsman's in the morning before they opened.
Jim and Elaine enjoyed vacationing in Florida in the winter. Through Wick buildings and Taylor Contracting they enjoyed traveling to Jamaica, Disney World, Nashville, Cancun and the Bahamas. They also loved to play cards, (bridge and pitch), and go out dancing at The Cobblestone.
Jim was a husband, dad and grandpa first and foremost with a kind, generous and loving heart. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh. Growing up in the great depression instilled a work ethic that would steer many life decisions. Work hard, take care of your family, support your friends and neighbors, and promote your community. Jim truly loved Storm Lake, his little slice of heaven.
Storm Lake Times, 20 Sep 2021
James Louis "Jim" Reese, 95, of Storm Lake passed away on Sept. 17, 2021 in Stevens Point.
Funeral services will take place Wednesday, Sept. 22, at 2 p.m. at United Methodist Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery in Storm Lake. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to designate a live tree memorial in various Storm Lake locations dear to Jim. Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
On Dec. 19, 1925, Jim was the first born of three children to Thomas and Marie (Ryan) Reese in Sioux City. He grew up in Larchwood where he attended school before moving to Storm Lake in 1943 for his senior year.
After graduation, Jim was inducted into the Army on June 6, 1944 and served in Italy during WWII. He enrolled in Buena Vista College in Storm Lake for the fall semester in 1946 and in January of 1947, was employed by the Storm Lake Post Office. Although Jim had his sights set on becoming a high school coach, the opportunity for full employment for the postal service was too good to pass up. He was called back into the service in the fall of 1950 and served in Korea for a year. Jim then returned to the Post Office where he served as a letter carrier, clerk and supervisor of postal operations until he retired in September 1983. However, retirement wasn't in the cards for long; he needed something to do. Jim became a salesman for Wick Buildings working through Taylor Contracting in May 1984 until his second retirement 27 years later in February 2011.
Jim met Elaine Weimer at a dance in Storm Lake at the Cobblestone Inn in 1945. They could really cut a rug! They married on June 22, 1947 at the Storm Lake Methodist Church. In 1954 Jim saw an ad for US Homes out of Des Moines in the Sears and Roebuck catalog. After the birth of their third child, Jim and Elaine bought a lot on Renshaw Drive, hired a local contractor and built the house that would become their home for 64 years.
In 1956 with a six year old boy at home, Jim thought Storm Lake needed some kind of youth baseball program. He approached the Community Chest board and secured $500 to start a program for eight teams of 10-12 year olds. By year three, Jim had expanded the program to include 8-9 and 13-15 year olds for a total of 375 Storm Lake ballplayers. They each paid $1 to join which covered insurance. Local organizations including Hy-Noon, Beaver Kiwanis, Rotary, Elks Club, Fire Department, Amvets and Lions were contacted and convinced to donate $100 per year for a uniform fund. East Field at East Elementary School was the original home for youth baseball and continues to be used to this day with a plaque in Jim's honor as Little League President 1956-1987. Jim spent untold hours each spring and summer organizing teams, umpires and announcers, as well as dragging and liming the fields for the boys to play ball.
In 1951, Jim began officiating high school football and basketball, not only for his interest in sports but more importantly to supplement the family income. He was a referee for 20 years including for girls' basketball which was half court at the time. On a Friday night during the halftime of a class 3-A state tournament championship game, Jim was inducted into the Official's Hall of Fame in Des Moines. It was a proud moment for the whole family.
Jim was an avid golfer and was a very proud charter member of Lake Creek Country Club. When loading the car for any trip, the clubs went in the trunk first. Jim enjoyed following the Buena Vista Beavers, Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes. He also worked in the Press Box at Buena Vista College for 30 years and enjoyed coffee with the guys at Sportsman's in the morning before they opened.
Jim and Elaine enjoyed vacationing in Florida in the winter. Through Wick buildings and Taylor Contracting they enjoyed traveling to Jamaica, Disney World, Nashville, Cancun and the Bahamas. They also loved to play cards, (bridge and pitch), and go out dancing at The Cobblestone.
Jim was a husband, dad and grandpa first and foremost with a kind, generous and loving heart. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh. Growing up in the great depression instilled a work ethic that would steer many life decisions. Work hard, take care of your family, support your friends and neighbors, and promote your community. Jim truly loved Storm Lake, his little slice of heaven.
Storm Lake Times, 20 Sep 2021
Funeral services will take place Wednesday, Sept. 22, at 2 p.m. at United Methodist Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery in Storm Lake. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to designate a live tree memorial in various Storm Lake locations dear to Jim. Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
On Dec. 19, 1925, Jim was the first born of three children to Thomas and Marie (Ryan) Reese in Sioux City. He grew up in Larchwood where he attended school before moving to Storm Lake in 1943 for his senior year.
After graduation, Jim was inducted into the Army on June 6, 1944 and served in Italy during WWII. He enrolled in Buena Vista College in Storm Lake for the fall semester in 1946 and in January of 1947, was employed by the Storm Lake Post Office. Although Jim had his sights set on becoming a high school coach, the opportunity for full employment for the postal service was too good to pass up. He was called back into the service in the fall of 1950 and served in Korea for a year. Jim then returned to the Post Office where he served as a letter carrier, clerk and supervisor of postal operations until he retired in September 1983. However, retirement wasn't in the cards for long; he needed something to do. Jim became a salesman for Wick Buildings working through Taylor Contracting in May 1984 until his second retirement 27 years later in February 2011.
Jim met Elaine Weimer at a dance in Storm Lake at the Cobblestone Inn in 1945. They could really cut a rug! They married on June 22, 1947 at the Storm Lake Methodist Church. In 1954 Jim saw an ad for US Homes out of Des Moines in the Sears and Roebuck catalog. After the birth of their third child, Jim and Elaine bought a lot on Renshaw Drive, hired a local contractor and built the house that would become their home for 64 years.
In 1956 with a six year old boy at home, Jim thought Storm Lake needed some kind of youth baseball program. He approached the Community Chest board and secured $500 to start a program for eight teams of 10-12 year olds. By year three, Jim had expanded the program to include 8-9 and 13-15 year olds for a total of 375 Storm Lake ballplayers. They each paid $1 to join which covered insurance. Local organizations including Hy-Noon, Beaver Kiwanis, Rotary, Elks Club, Fire Department, Amvets and Lions were contacted and convinced to donate $100 per year for a uniform fund. East Field at East Elementary School was the original home for youth baseball and continues to be used to this day with a plaque in Jim's honor as Little League President 1956-1987. Jim spent untold hours each spring and summer organizing teams, umpires and announcers, as well as dragging and liming the fields for the boys to play ball.
In 1951, Jim began officiating high school football and basketball, not only for his interest in sports but more importantly to supplement the family income. He was a referee for 20 years including for girls' basketball which was half court at the time. On a Friday night during the halftime of a class 3-A state tournament championship game, Jim was inducted into the Official's Hall of Fame in Des Moines. It was a proud moment for the whole family.
Jim was an avid golfer and was a very proud charter member of Lake Creek Country Club. When loading the car for any trip, the clubs went in the trunk first. Jim enjoyed following the Buena Vista Beavers, Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes. He also worked in the Press Box at Buena Vista College for 30 years and enjoyed coffee with the guys at Sportsman's in the morning before they opened.
Jim and Elaine enjoyed vacationing in Florida in the winter. Through Wick buildings and Taylor Contracting they enjoyed traveling to Jamaica, Disney World, Nashville, Cancun and the Bahamas. They also loved to play cards, (bridge and pitch), and go out dancing at The Cobblestone.
Jim was a husband, dad and grandpa first and foremost with a kind, generous and loving heart. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh. Growing up in the great depression instilled a work ethic that would steer many life decisions. Work hard, take care of your family, support your friends and neighbors, and promote your community. Jim truly loved Storm Lake, his little slice of heaven.
Storm Lake Times, 20 Sep 2021
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