Mapel, James Kelly 1898-1980

MAPEL, LAYTON, HINSHAW, KUNKEL, OBEY

Posted By: Janet Schuldt Schuldt (email)
Date: 1/27/2019 at 15:50:58

Ruthven Zipcode, Ruthven, Palo Alto, Iowa Thursday, April 17, 1980 Page 13

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR JAMES K. MAPEL HELD AT RUTHVEN

James Kelly (Jim) Mapel was born February 14, 1898 in Rockwell City, Calhoun County, Iowa. He was the third son of Walter P. Mapel and Nancy Katherine Layton. He was 82 years, 1 month and 3 days old at the time of his passing on April 3, 1980 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

Since returning to his home in Ruthven from Arizona on February 18, Jim has been in the Spencer, Iowa hospital, a short stay at his home and was then taken to St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester on Tuesday, April 1.

Jim grew up in rural Lake City, Iowa, where he attended school and was graduated from the Lake City High School. He then attended Cedar Rapids Business College. He served in the Infantry branch of the service during World War I and was honorably discharged on December 16, 1918. He fanned at Lake City and did seasonal work in the car plants in Detroit, harvesting in the Dakotas, gravel hauling in northwest Iowa. He came to Electric Park, Lost Island Lake in 1931 and became the owner operator of the Park until October 1973 when he sold the operation.

Jim was a Past Commander of Ruthven Post #33 of the American Legion, giving of himself in promoting the betterment of the community and the development of the Lost Island Lake area.

Since 1937, he began spending his winters in Old Mexico, California and Arizona. An avid fisherman and hunter, he was noted for voicing his exploits.

On November 28, 1969 at Umpqua, Douglas County, Oregon he was united in marriage to Marie Ellis Hinshaw, formerly of Graettinger and Emmetsburg, and together they operated the Park including a trailer sales and real estate development.

His wife, Marie, survives his passing. He is also survived by one daughter, Jean, of California, by a previous marriage; one sister, Mary Kunkel of Hastings, Nebraska; one brother, William Mapel of Lake City, Iowa and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Jane Obey of Rockwell City, Iowa, two brothers, Tom Mapel of Lake City, Iowa and Ralph Mapel of Freemont, Nebraska.

Services for James K. Mapel were held in the Ruthven United Methodist Church on Tuesday, April 8,1980 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. F.G. Samek officiating. Mrs. Marvin Wigdahl was organist, James Wigdahl was soloist, and the solos were "How Great Thou Art" and "The Old Rugged Cross".

Pall bearers were Joe Conlon, Lowell Nyborg, Dick Smith, Dick Clasing, Vernon Christensen and William J. Brown. Honorary Pall bearers were Art Voss, Harry Drum, Lloyd Sundall, Clarence Hansen, Homer Moore, Art Duhn, Homer Lee, Burt Rossiter, Victor Hanson, and George Largey. Honorary Veterans of World War I Ruthven Post #33 are: Ed Nelson, Ed Marxen, Bernard Schroeder, Henry Feldman, Homer Buck, Frank Coleman, Harry Rouse, Fred Broadie, Pete Henderson, and Tom Stolp.

Interment was in Crown Hill Cemetery. Martin-Bails Funeral Home of Ruthven was in charge of arrangement