James D. VanDerMolen, 54, of rural Le Mars, Iowa passed away peacefully at Unity Point Health-St. Luke's on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 after a brief struggle with pancreatic cancer. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2014 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Struble, Iowa. Monsignor Mark Duchaine will celebrate Mass. Burial will follow at the parish cemetery. Visitation with the family present will begin at 4:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Struble with a Scriptural Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church on Saturday prior to Mass.
Pallbearers will be Zachary Westhoff, John Westhoff, Lee Westhoff, Clint Kessenich, Daniel Kessenich, Patrick McIntee and William McIntee.
Jim was born May 2, 1960 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Le Mars to Lloyd and Mary (Schlesser) Vander Molen. He was raised and resided on the family farm south of Struble. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph’s Church in Struble where he was a lifelong member. Jim was known to always park cars for dinners and funerals.
A 1979 graduate of Le Mars Community High School, he was proud to be an active member of the Pioneer Club and the Eagles of Le Mars. Jim truly loved to farm and took extra special care of his John Deere tractors and many red Chevy pick-up trucks. Known affectionately as “Jimbo” by his nieces and nephews, family was always his number one priority.
Jim is survived by his Mom, Mary Vander Molen; sisters, Peggy Vander Molen, Ann and Matt McIntee, Susy and Mark Kessenich, Kris and Rick Westhoff ; brother, Michael Vander Molen; nieces, Erica Westhoff and Hannah Kessenich; nephews, Dr. Zachary and Jill Westhoff and children, Jarret and Ty, John and Kristina Westhoff, Godson, Lee and Michelle Westhoff and children, Kent, Ella and baby on the way, Clint Kessenich, Daniel Kessenich, Patrick McIntee and William McIntee.
He was preceded in death by his dad, Lloyd Vander Molen on May 19, 2012.
Jim wishes, along with his family, to thank the many wonderful and caring nurses of the 6th Floor ICU unit at Unity Point Health- St. Luke’s Hospital for their tender loving care. He also wanted to thank his many, many friends, neighbors and relatives for all their prayers, visits, concerns and gifts.
“Thank you! See you down the road.” - Jim (Jimbo)
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