Jimmy "Jim" Lee Bales

Ocheyedan, IA Jimmy “Jim” Bales, age 83 of Ocheyedan, Iowa died unexpectedly Friday, November 10, 2023, at his residence. Jimmy Lee Bales was born in Wayne, Nebraska on August 5, 1940, the son of James Edward and Viola Ruth (Woehler) Bales. He was raised in Wayne and graduated from Wayne High School in 1958. After high school he took courses in food service and baking. He was married to Sandra Eulberg in 1959 in Wayne, Nebraska. He was later remarried on July 3, 1965, to Yvonne Berger in Wayne, Nebraska. Together they lived in various locations such as Yankton, SD, Oklahoma, Arizona and Durango, CO, before settling down in 1973 in Ocheyedan, IA. During the early years of their marriage Jim managed college cafeterias and steak houses. After moving to Ocheyedan they owned and operated “Jim’s Drive Inn north of Ocheyedan, on highway 9. They retired in 2022 turning the restaurant into a Rock/Gem Shop and Flea Market. Jim was remembered as a man who was always busy with projects and and also collected gems/minerals and wood carving. He enjoyed searching for turquoise and other gems in the southwest. Jim is survived by his wife, Yvonne Bales of Ocheyedan, IA; his daughter, Tesa Lynn Taylor of Davis, SD, two sons; Kurt Bales of Waterloo, IA, and Thim Bales, of Ocheyedan, IA; five grandchildren, one great grandson and several other family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Edward and Viola Bales and his first wife, Sandra.