Lettow, James A. (1933-2014)

LETTOW, ZIESMAN, GOODCHILD, RUFFRIDGE, MACMENAMIN, RHODES, WAGNER, KAPFER

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 3/12/2020 at 14:07:04

Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, Iowa, August 8, 2014/Linns Funeral Home website

James Lettow, 81, of Alden, Iowa passed away on Thursday, August 7, 2014 at Hansen Family Hospital in Iowa Falls under the care of Hospice of North Iowa. Services will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2014, at St Paul Lutheran Church in Alden; visitation starts at 9:30 am followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am. Private burial at Alden Cemetery, and arrangements made by Linn's Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family at 15765 G. Avenue; Alden, IA 50006.

James was born on July 13, 1933, on a farm near Buckeye, IA, the son of Herbert and Hazel (Ziesman) Lettow. He was baptized and confirmed at Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Buckeye. He graduated from Alden High School in 1952, after which he worked with his father on the family farm until he was called to serve in the United States Army from 1956-1958. After serving in southern France, Jim returned to Iowa to continue farming with his father and building the family's purebred Hampshire hog business. Lettow Brothers showed hogs at state fairs throughout the Midwest, held numerous breeding stock sales and nurtured a national reputation of quality in the Hampshire breed. At the Iowa State Fair, Jim met Joy Goodchild of Mallard, Iowa, and on October 5, 1968, the two were united in marriage. Their marriage was blessed with five children and eleven grandchildren.

Jim continued farming, raising hogs and feeder cattle on the family farm south of Alden, Iowa. In addition to working hard in agriculture, he served his community for several years in many capacities. His tenure as president of the elevator board of the Buckeye Co-op coincided with positions on the congregational board of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Buckeye. Jim was an avid reader and had a deep interest in American and world history. He also loved baseball and he enjoyed many years of coaching little league for the Buckeye Braves and the Alden All-Stars. Over those years, many kids looked forward to the annual baseball trip to Thunder Bay, Ontario. Jim was a man of great faith and few words, but was always thinking. He may have taken his time to get there, especially in his truck to Casey's, but he was a man certain of where he stood. After he retired, Jim watched his grandkids enjoy the same farm he cherished. His son, Tye, has continued the family tradition of raising nationally recognized hogs. Last August, his grandson, Tate, became the fifth generation of Lettows to show at the Iowa State Fair.

Jim is survived by his wife, Joy, of Alden; his children and grandchildren, Karla (Brandon) Ruffridge - Elle, Shea and Tyce - of Pocahontas, IA; Tye (Teresa) Lettow - Tate, Trey and Tabor - of Woodward, IA; Angel (Luke) MacMenamin - Audrey, James and Hugh - of Hudson, WI; Ash (Jasmine Benyamin) of Milwaukee, WI; Molly (Dusty) Rhodes - Jace and Hale - of Mason City, IA. He is also survived by his sisters, Connie (Ken) Wagner of Eldora, IA and Lois Kapfer of Eden Prairie, MN. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Richard Kapfer. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family at 15765 G. Avenue; Alden, IA 50006.