James R. Schoenrock, 80, of Le Mars, Iowa passed away on Monday, June 15, 2020 at the Good Samaritan Society in Le Mars. Visitation with social distancing will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at the Mauer – Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. The family will be present from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Due to Covid-19 precautions, a private family burial service will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery in Sioux City, Iowa.
James Ronald Schoenrock was born on August 7, 1939 on the family farm near Hinton, Iowa to Earl and Lois (Gutknecht) Schoenrock. He was the first baby born in Plymouth County to use the new incubator, weighing in at 3 pounds. He was Baptized by his grandfather, Theodore Gutknecht at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Hinton and Confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Le Mars. He attended country school until the 6th grade and transferred to Le Mars High School where he graduated in 1958. Following graduation, Jim enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on June 24, 1958. He proudly served for the next 8 years prior to earning an Honorable Discharge in 1964.
On February 26, 1960, Jim and Marilyn Calkin were united in marriage at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Hinton. They were blessed with four children. Jim worked as a Union carpenter for 25 years and with Schoeneman Lumber for 13. They moved from Sioux City, Iowa to Seney, Iowa where Jim took a 7 year position with the Plymouth County Conservation Board. On April 15, 1988 Jim received a liver transplant at the University of Omaha Hospital and battled many surgeries for cancer along with numerous trips to various hospitals throughout the years, all with a positive outlook and a little sense of humor.
Jim was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Le Mars where he served as a Trustee, Vice President and twice as president. He worked with the Boy Scouts of America for 35 years in Le Mars and Sioux City and served as Cub Scout, Webelos, Assistant Scout Leader, Scout Master, District Commissioner, Field Sports Director and Camp Director. He was honored with the Silver Beaver Award and twice with the Ninth District Scouter along with many other awards. Jim was also a member of Wasmer Post #241 of the American Legion in Le Mars. When he had some free time, Jim enjoyed woodworking and building projects as well as working on the farm. He also loved to camp with his family, teaching them about the outdoors. Time with his family was most important to Jim.
Grateful to have shared his life is his wife of 60 years, Marilyn Schoenrock of Le Mars, IA; his late son Scott’s children, Justin (Kari) Schoenrock of Sioux Falls, SD and their son, Liam; a son, Jeff Schoenrock of San Antonio, TX; a daughter and her husband, Lisa and John Doty of Denver, CO; a son and his wife, Wade and Angela Schoenrock of Hinton, IA and their children, Marrisa (Marcus) Leander of Sioux City, IA and their children, Ethan, Landon and Austin, Mitchell (Ashley) Schoenrock of Sioux City, IA and their daughter, Savannah, Cody Schoenrock (Fiancé, Kelsey Lauren-Ortiz) of North Sioux City, SD.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Scott Schoenrock; a granddaughter, Jessica Schoenrock; and a sister, Joan Chellew.
Memorials in Jim’s name may be directed to Orphan Grain Train, PO Box 1466, Norfolk, NE 68702