WHEATLAND – With sadness we express the loss of our beloved James Francis “Jim” Fowler, 88. A funeral service was held at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 4, 2021 at the First Baptist Church in Wheatland with Pastor Phil Benson officiating. Interment was at the Wheatland Cemetery.
Jim Fowler passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021 at his home in Wheatland surrounded by family and loved ones.
Jim was born on Saturday, July 15, 1933, the son of John and Ruth (Ernst) Fowler on a farm near Blairstown, Iowa.
Jim was raised on the farm, which he loved. This led him to an agriculture degree in college at Iowa State. Jim was a Lieutenant in the United States Army and served from Feb. 12, 1955 through Feb. 11, 1957. Jim’s career took off after that as a concrete inspector. He was sought after by many companies. He was soon promoted to chief inspector. Jim gave advice on mixes and blends on ingredients in varying situations. Over time, he worked with several companies doing contracts for bridges; he worked closely with the railroads and coal companies. Jim’s career took him many places from South Dakota to Gillette for many years, then to Douglas, Evanston, Glendo, and Wichita, Kansas.
Jim retired and returned to the Glendo area. He loved that area for fishing and hunting. While in Glendo, Jim worked closely with Services for Seniors and served on the board. This is where a romance blossomed between Jim and Mary. They became friends and had God as the center of their relationship. They were married and Jim moved to Wheatland. Jim adopted Mary’s extensive family and was a loving Grandpa Jim to her family as well as his grandchildren in Iowa.
While here in Wheatland, Jim enjoyed hunting, especially prairie dogs. Jim boated and loved fishing… but he loved “catching” more! Jim bought a tractor and helped with some farming. We all knew Jim as a great “storyteller.”
He is survived by his wife of twenty years, Mary A. Baker Fowler of Wheatland; children, Kathleen (Ron) Gaudet of Canada; Michael (Jenny) Fowler of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Kurt Fowler of Lost Nation, Iowa, Nancy Weiss of Dubuque, Iowa, and Paul Fowler of Peoria, Illinois; step-children, Russell (Carol) Baker of Wheatland, Craig (Nancy) Baker of Wheatland, Roberta (Steve) McCullough of Mitchell, South Dakota, and Connie (Phil) Siefkes of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota; grandchildren, Weston Weiss and Brian Weiss; sixteen step-grandchildren; forty-three great-grandchildren; and siblings, Janice (Jerry) Peterson, Jean Bodensteiner, and June (Jim) Mackey.
Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.
The Gorman Funeral Homes – Platte Chapel of Wheatland are in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com.
