James V. Thoelke

George, Iowa James "Bud" V. Thoelke, age 93 of George, IA died Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at Pleasant Acres Care Center in Hull, IA. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday March 31, 2014 at St. Paul Lutheran Church rural Hull, IA with Rev. Robert Gordon officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, March 30, 2014 from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM with family present from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Jurrens Funeral Home of George, IA. James "Bud" V. Thoelke was born May 16, 1920 in White, South Dakota to Henry and Grace (Boekholder) Thoelke. He received his early education in White before he and his family moved to George, Iowa in July of 1935 at the age of 15. Following his schooling he worked at Siebring's in George for a time before moving to San Diego, California where he worked at Consolidated Aircraft. When WWII broke out he moved back to George and returned to work at Siebring's until he enlisted with the United States Navy in 1942. He received the necessary training to fill the role of Electricians Mate First Class at Purdue University and was assigned to a Minesweeper vessel in the South Pacific. Bud returned to George after the war and in the late 1940's he went to work for Sudenga Industries where he eventually became a part owner and worked until his retirement in the early 1980's. Bud married Delores Stoehr on April 6, 1973 at St. Paul Lutheran Church. They were very devoted to each other and lived their entire married lives in George. He and Delores loved their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren very much and enjoyed spending time with them and keeping them supplied with stuffed animals. Bud was a 65 year member of the American Legion of which he was very proud. He also served on the George City council for 25 years. Bud was an intelligent man with many talents and skills. He loved to tinker, build, and create even into his later years. Along with building a lot of equipment for Sudenga's and the city's use, he also rebuilt cars. One of his greatest interests and joys was aviation. He built from scratch, a biplane called an EAA (Experimental Airplane Association) Biplane which he flew out of the grass strip by Sudenga's. Bud was known for being a kind and gentle soul and a bit of a prankster. This past Wednesday March 26, 2014, Bud passed away at the Pleasant Acres Care Center in Hull, Iowa at the age of 93. He will be greatly missed. James is survived by his children, Larry (Nancy) Thoelke of George; and Debra (LeRoy) Jasmer of Hull; 5 granddaughters, Michelle (Matthew) Blum of Superior, NE, Krista (Doug) Dykstra of George, Angie Petersen of George, Rachel (David) Huyser of Doon, Rebekah (Heath) LaFrenz of Rock Rapids; 7 great-grandchildren, Maitland Dykstra, Courtney Dykstra, Karli Petersen, Sean Dykstra, Dayna Petersen, Nicole Huyser, and Jessica Huyser; sister, Earlene Hilbrands of Colorado; and brother, Duane (Marge) Thoelke of Forest City, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Delores; sisters, Viola Heidebrink, and Beverly Cassens.