James "Jim" Lensing

James “Jim” Lensing, age 77, of Festina, Iowa, died on Thursday, July 25, 2013, at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, Iowa. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 30, 2013, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church, 2351 Co. Road B32, in Festina, Iowa, with Monsignor Cletus Hawes presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery, with military rites by the Halverson-Giesen American Legion Post #266. Friends may call from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 29, 2013, and also on Tuesday morning from 9:00-10:00 a.m., at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, French Chapel in Calmar. There will be a rosary at 4:00 and a scripture service at 7:00 p.m., on Monday evening. James “Jim” Aloysius Lensing was born on May 6, 1936, the son of Hugo and Mathilda (Schrandt) Lensing in Festina, Iowa. James attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Festina. He entered the US Army and served in the Korean Conflict from Aug. 25, 1953 to Aug. 4, 1956. He returned home and worked at Nehi Bottling in Decorah. James was united in marriage to Alice Hageman on April 22, 1961, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah. On Jan. 31, 1962, Jim started his career at Deco Products in Decorah. He worked there and retired on June 30, 2010, retiring as a Die Cast Scheduling Manager, working for 48 and a half years. While he worked at Deco, Jim also farmed and milked cows until 1997. Jim enjoyed going for rides with Alice, reading books, looking up information on his computer, keeping up with current events, watching sporting events and All-Star wrestling. Most of all, Jim loved his wife and family. He also dearly loved his grandchildren and attending all their activities. He enjoyed going for walks, being outdoors and visiting with family and friends. He was dedicated to Deco Products and very proud of his service to his country. Jim was a member of Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church and the Halverson Giesen American Legion Post #266. James is survived by his wife: Alice F. Lensing, Fort Atkinson, IA. Two daughters: Cindy (Martin) Hageman, Fort Atkinson, IA, and Karleen (Mark) Baumler, West Union, IA. Three grandchildren: Breanna and James Baumler and Josseline Alice Hageman. Two step-grandchildren: Shane and Marcus Baumler. Two brothers: Vince (Ruth) Lensing, Decorah, IA, and Stanley (Marlys) Lensing, Knoxville, IA. Three sisters: Loretta Russell, North Pole, AK; Lillian Gerdes, Tucson, AZ; and Judy Mae Lensing, Des Moines, IA. One brother-in-law: Henry “Hank” (Judy) Hageman, Calmar, IA. Two sisters-in-law: Martha Lensing, Torrance, CA, and Dorothy Hageman, Elk Run Heights, IA. James was preceded in death by his parents: Hugo and Mathilda (Schrandt) Lensing. One sister: Marie Strub. One brother: Gabriel Lensing. His father and mother-in-law: Edmund and Mary (Jacobs) Hageman. Two brothers-in-law: William Russell and Alex Hageman. Three sisters-in-law: Alma (Walter) Bauer, Arlene (Louis) Franzen and Norma Jean Hageman.