James Testroet
June 6, 1932 ~ July 25, 2010
James Joseph Testroet age 78 of Ionia died Sunday, July 25, 2010, at the New Hampton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in New Hampton.
Graveside services will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 29, 2010, at St. Boniface Cemetery, Ionia. Military honors will be conducted by the American Legion and VFW Posts, New Hampton and the Iowa Military Funeral Honors Unit.
James Joseph Testroet was born June 6, 1932, in rural Ionia, the son of Leo and Mary (Brown) Testroet. He received his education in Ionia graduating from the Ionia High School in 1950. He was inducted into the United States Navy on January 9, 1952 and was honorably discharged on December 1, 1955. On December 23, 1953, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Ionia, he married Jane Cleveland. To this union five children were born. The couple lived briefly in Corona, CA, Cudahy, WI, Charles City, IA, but spent most of their years living in Ionia. Jim worked at the former Oliver/White Farm Equipment Co. in Charles City and retired in 1994. His wife Jane died on August 4, 1987. In his early years, Jim enjoyed playing fast-pitch softball and later enjoyed golfing and playing cards. He was an avid sports fan following the Iowa Hawkeyes, the Chicago Bears and Chicago White Sox.
Survivors include three sons; Dan (Peg) Testroet of New Hampton, Dave (Allyn) Testroet of Belton, TX, Doug Testroet of Mead, CO; two daughters, Diane Durham of Pasedena, MD, Denise Gordon of Port Orange, FL; ten grandchildren, Danielle, Garrett and Lance Testroet, Luke and Alex Testroet, Nick Nolan and Jayne Testroet, Caroline Jane Durham and Jamie Gordon; two brothers, Tom (LaVonne) Testroet of Chicago, Vince Testroet of Milwaukee; two sisters, Norita Clark of Charles City, Janice (Jack) Smith of Ankeny, IA.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a grandson, Zachary Testroet; two brothers, Hubert and Leon Testroet; two sisters, Mary Eikenberry, Lois Roes; one daughter-in-law, Marva Testroet in 2001; one niece, Suzie Testroet.
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Dan and Peg we are sorry to hear the passing of your loved one you are in our thoughts and prayer
Dan & Family, We wanted to extend our sympathy to you & your entire family on the death of your father. May our prayers help you through this difficult time.
My deepest sympathy to the Testroet family. We have lost a great friend. Hearing of his passing brings back many good memories as Jim and I grew up and enlisted in the navy together.
Denise: My deepest sympathy to you and your family on the loss of your Dad. My you all take comfort in knowing he’s at peace and together with your Mom.
Denise and family – My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
We want to give you our deep sympathy in the loss your father. Our prayers are with you at this time.
I am so sorry to hear of Uncle Jim’s passing away. Dan, Dave, Diane, Denise, & Doug, my prayers go out for you and your families.
Our condolences to Denise and the entire Testroet family. It sounds like he was a wonderful person and he sure raised a great family.
My deepest sympathy to all of you in your time of loss and grief. May Our Lord bless and keep you during these difficult days.
Sorry to hear about J.T., he was a nice man.
Hey, It was wonderfull meeting you all. I am sorry for your loss. Your dad raised an awesome family!! best wishes
Dan, David, Diane, Denise and Doug, Our thoughts and Prayers are with all of you. I wish I could be there with you at this time. What a GREAT UNCLE Jim was. We had a great time whenever we were with him. Boy, so many wonderful memories to remember especially when him and Mike would get on there stories. Love you all. You are such a great family.
To Dan and Peg and all of the rest of the family, Your dad was truly a great person and we know you will miss him dearly. May he rest in peace and know that we all miss him and love him. All our sympathy, Tom and Lin
To the entire Testroet family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. He will be missed. Mike and Lori Rosonke
I have such fond memories of Jim and Jane. I am sure they are having a wonderful reunion in Heaven right now. We had such good times together when we came to Iowa to visit. I am sorry for your loss, and will always remember all of the good times we had with all of you. I’m real sorry that Bonnie never got the chance to spend some time with my Uncle Jim, and to get to know him. My prayers are with you and all of the family! Love, Jeff & Bonnie
Doug & family, May the joyful memories help carry you through this difficult time. With heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy~ Roberta and family
Dan, David, Diane, Denise & Doug: Our deepest sympathy goes out to each of you during your time of loss. Jim will always be remembered to us with many fond memories. Always playing cards and games with us while at Dan & Pegs. We had a lot of fun with Jim and he will truly be missed. May you find comfort in one another during this time and in the thought of Jim being united again with Jane.
Testroet family, I am so sorry for your loss. Your family is in our prayers. You are an amazing family and my thoughts are with you all of you at this time of sorrow. Love, Josh, Kate, and Ava Shoemaker
Dan and Peg- My sincere sympathy in the loss of your father and father in law. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Dan, David, Denise, Diane, & Doug! Doug & I want to tell you how very sorry we are about your dad! He was a special person and the thing that I’ll always remember about him was his sense of humor! Not only that but his & your mom’s graciousness when we came out here to visit and they always opened their home up to us and made us feel welcome! What a great family we come from! I’ll treasure my memories of times shared not only with him, but of all of you! God Bless you all! Love Mary & Doug
Dan, Peg, and family, We wanted to extend our deepest sympathy for the loss of your father. Treasure the memories you have made over the years and the knowledge that you will meet again in heaven. God bless you and your family.
Uncle Jim you were one of a kind and loved by lots of people. We send our sympathy to the family and miss you all very much.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Testroet family. Jim was a great man and will be missed. Love all of you guys and we will be thinking of you during this difficult time.
Dan, Peg, David, Diane, Denise, & Doug : We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. Memories will always keep him close. Our prayers are with all of you during this difficult time…..Please accept our deepest sympathy for your loss. Remember that he is always with each of you, in your hearts and memories, and will be forever. God bless you at this difficult time.
I am so sorry Dan, Dave, Diane, Denise, & Doug. He was truly a wonderful man. As Peg wrote he is now with his beautiful wife Jane. God bless all of you. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Love you all.
My symapathy to the entire Testroet family. I may not have been a Testroet but that never stopped Jim from treating me like family, especially when playing hearts. He will truly be missed. My love to you all.