James "Jim" Blodgett

James “Jim” Blodgett, age 92, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away on Friday, September 26, 2025, at Wellington Place in Decorah, Iowa.

A memorial will be held at a later date.

Jim Blodgett was the first baby born of the year on January 1, 1933, in Decorah, Iowa. He was the beloved only child of Dr. J.J. and the formidable Ange Blodgett. Ange often made him play trumpet concertos at dinner parties in a white suit, which scarred him well into adulthood. He was a proud Decorah Kiltie and an avid fisherman, and had a beloved dog named Mac.

Jim attended the University of Iowa until an unfortunate incident involving him, another member of the University of Iowa marching band and the opposing team’s travel bus. He finished his senior year at Luther College under the watchful eye of his dear mother, and returned to Iowa to attend dental school, where he met the lovely Nola Jane Carpenter, an occupational therapist. The two married in Iowa City in 1957 and moved to Decorah, where Jim began practicing dentistry.

Jim and Nola had four children: Michael, Lora, Mary and Peter. He was a wonderful father. On sick days he always brought home the latest comic books from Ted’s Tobacco; bedtime brought the continual installments of his made-up adventure story “The Blob,” an unerring force for good in an ambiguous universe. He could always be talked into another chapter. He taught his kids the beauty of the outdoors through hunting, fishing, sailing, flying his small plane, shore lunches on a Minnesota lake, and daily walks.

He was a good cook! He taught Nola how to cook, and many of their friends and family struggle with their weight as a direct result of them both taking it to the next level. Beer battered walleye, butter burgers, Sunday night popcorn, the perfect martini, and the crispiest hash browns were just a few of his stand outs. His grandkids remember picking wild blueberries on fishing trips and grandpa making them into fabulous pies. One grandson did not care for his beer batter pancakes, which were generally more beer than pancake.

Pete and his truly amazing wife Linda made Jim’s last few years in Decorah care-free and filled with family. The rest of his children are forever grateful.

Jim’s wife Nola passed away in 2013. Jim is survived by his children Michael, Lora (Patrick Whalen), Mary (Carlton Calvin) and Peter (Linda); six grandchildren and two great grandchildren, with two more on the way. Jim is also survived by his girlfriend Connie Arnburg, with whom he shared many wonderful trips, special meals, and a love of gardening. We will always love you dad.