James I Voigt

James I. Voigt 1931-2015

A Memorial Service for 83-year old James I. (Jim) Voigt of Graettinger will be Wednesday, March 25, at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Graettinger with Pastor Rick Johnson officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, at the United Methodist Church in Graettinger. Mr. Voigt died Saturday, March 21, 2015 at the Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg.

James Irvin Voigt was born Sept. 3, 1931 near Cylinder, Iowa, the son of William and Marie Ann (Davis) Voigt. The family moved to the Graettinger area where Jim received his education in the Vernon Township schools, graduating from Graettinger Community School in 1950. He served in the United States Army and following his discharge, returned to Graettinger and began farming.

On December 29, 1956, Jim married Garnet Anna Reekers in Sheldon, Iowa. The couple then made their home on the farm near Graettinger.

Along with his farming, Jim enjoyed carpentry and mechanic work, and designed and finished the house on the farm in 1976. He also enjoyed working on antique cars and antique tractors and engaged in plowing bees and antique tractor pulling as well.

He also worked for Rohlin Construction of Estherville for several summers in addition to part-time work for the Farmers Elevator in Graettinger and he enjoyed the opportunity to drive semi over-the road on an occasional basis for several years. Jim retired from farming in 1995 and moved into Graettinger in 2006. He was a member of the Graettinger United Methodist Church, as well as the Graettinger Community Club and a 40-year member of the Nelson-Christiansen Post 162 of the American Legion in Graettinger, where he served on the Honor Guard.

Left to cherish the memory of a beloved husband, father, brother and uncle are his wife of 58 years, Garnet; son Dan of Graettinger; daughter Diann and her husband John Burright of Ames and a brother, William Jr., (Bill) and his wife Ina Mae, of Graettinger, along with numerous nieces and nephews and countless friends and acquaintances.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Eugene, sisters Mercedes Bierstedt and brother-in-law Hilbert Bierstedt of Fenton, IA; Pauline Hartung and brother-in-law Ralph Hartung of Spirit Lake, IA; and Dora (Potter) Brix and brothers-in-law Donald Potter and Elmer Brix, as well as two nephews: Charles Bierstedt and Doug Potter and niece LaDonna Potter.

Arrangements by Tim Kulow of The Historic Bruce Funeral Home Fort Dodge.