James "Jim" Kottke

James Frederick Kottke, age 82 died Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at Sumner Community Memorial Hospital. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 10, 2022, at Peace United Church of Christ in Fredericksburg with Rev. Scott Smith officiating. Interment will be held in Rose Hill Cemetery, Fredericksburg with Luis Ruiz, Travis Gruenberg, Jarod Ketter, Andrew Kottke, Shane Cutsforth, and Kody Kottke serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are members of the Northeast Iowa Antique Engine & Power Group in Fredericksburg. Friends may greet the family from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Sunday, October 9, 2022, at Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in Fredericksburg. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. James was born on August 21, 1940, to Fred and Edna (Zieske) Kottke at St. Joseph Hospital in New Hampton, Iowa. He spent his youth on the family farm outside of Boyd, Iowa participating in various hijinks with his two younger brothers, Charles and Eugene. He attended grade school at the New Hampton #1, a one room school house that he used to jokingly tell his children that he stayed in the same grade for 9 years and had to walk up hill both ways, barefoot in waist high snow (the school was in reality across the road). Then he attended Fredericksburg High School and was a member of the graduating class of 1958. After graduation, he enlisted in the Marine Corp. He spent the majority of his time in the military at in Okinawa, Japan. He achieved the rank of Lance Corporal. While in the Marine Corp he was a communication specialist. He was also inducted into the Domain of the Golden Dragon while on board the USS General WM Mitchell. His last assignment was at Camp Lejeune. He was honorably discharged in 1961. After his return to Fredericksburg, he met Helen Smith after being dared to buy her a piece of pie in the local diner. They married on March 16, 1963. He spent the majority of his life working at Oliver Tractor/White Farm Corp. in Charles City and farming. He worked various other jobs until he retired. After retirement, he spent many happy summer days gardening, woodworking, and putzing on his antique tractors. He was very proud of his military service and was able to participate in an Honor Flight to visit Washington, DC. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Helen. His children, Fay (Jeffrey) Sampson, Richard (Nancy) Kottke, Jeff (Traci) Kottke, and Jon (Karla) Kottke. His brother, Charles (Pam) Kottke and sisters, Agnes (Clarence) Moore and Virginia (David) Cutsforth. Sisters-in-law, Rita Faber, Janet Westendorf, and Jeannette Kottke; brothers-in-law Dr. Charles Smith. Grandchildren: Ryne, Erica (Jarod) Taylor, Drew, and Sydney. Step grandchildren Tabitha (Joey), Teagan, Tevon, and Taylen. Great grandchildren: Quinn, Sampson, and Willa; step great grandchildren Libby, Elise, Tripp, Bentley, Ryker, and Natalie. Many nieces and nephews. Lastly, his beloved snoodle, Blackie. Preceded in death by his son, Michael, parents, Fred and Edna (Zieske) Kottke, in-laws, Roland and Bessie Smith, brothers John and Eugene, nephew Kevin; sisters-in-law, Linda and Judy; brother-in-law, Paul. Memorials may be directed to the family.