James William McMartin, the son of William Clair and Muriel Anza (Donnelly) McMartin, was born November 8, 1941 in Council Bluffs, IA. James died October 11, 2023 at the Northcrest Living Center in Council Bluffs, IA, at the age of 81 years, 11 months, and 3 days. Jim battled Parkinson’s disease for over 30 years with courage, grace and dignity. His wry sense of humor always found a way to bring a smile to his loved ones.
Jim grew up on a farm west of Carson and graduated from Carson Macedonia High School in 1959. He started farming while in high school and continued farming after graduating. On November 17, 1962, he was united in marriage to Kathryn Kaye Mincer, his high school sweetheart. Jim always made time for his family, even if it was during harvest season. He helped out when his kids were active in 4H. He also assisted moving his sisters, Mary and Kathy along with his kids. Two of those moves included making trips to Salt Lake City and Atlanta to help his daughter Kim. In fact, he would also fix and repair just about anything for his family and did so on many of these moves. He loved his family more than anything. He also enjoyed traveling, wood working, camping, antiquing, and their card club and friends. Jim was an involved member of the Carson United Methodist Church. “Mr. Jim” enjoyed driving the school bus and taking care of the students for many years. While still farming he enjoyed his time working at the Fullerton Lumber yard in Oakland and working maintenance for an apartment complex in Council Bluffs until his retirement. After leaving the farm, they moved to Council Bluffs and built a beautiful group of friends in their Tower Ridge neighborhood. Jim will be remembered for the kindness he showed everybody that he met.
He is preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter Samantha Jo McMartin, in-laws, Orlo and Winnie Mincer.
Jim is survived by the love of his life and best friend, Kaye and his children: Peggy Bertelson, Daniel McMartin (Ashley) and Kimberly Schilling (Charlie). His grandchildren: Jon Karstens (Shelbie) and their children Parker, Wyatt, Samantha, Colt, Levi and Hunter; Brad Karstens (Megan) and their children Delaney and Holden; Emily Karstens (Andrew) and their daughter, Addison; Cassandra Schilling; Megan McMartin and her son Oliver; and Sydney Schilling. And his sisters: Kathy Hendricks and Mary Homfeld (Lester) and brother-in law/sister-in-laws: Marvel (Bob), Lola Anderson, Patty Mincer and Shirley Mincer. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
A memorial service for Jim will be held on Monday, October 16, 2023, at 11:00 AM, at the Carson United Methodist Church. Visitation with the family will be held at the church one hour prior to the memorial service. Interment will be at Carson Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established. Rieken Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland is assisting the family.
