James Distelhorst

James R. Distelhorst, 79, of Salem, IA, died Saturday, October 10, 2009, at the Pleasant Manor Care Center. Open visitation will be held Monday, October 12, 2009, from 1:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel in Mt. Pleasant. There will be no family visitation time. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, October 13, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant. Inurnment will be in the Aspen Grove Cemetery in Burlington. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to the Salem First Responders or to the First Baptist Church. On line condolences may be directed to www.olsonpowell.com James Robert was born on June 6, 1930, in Burlington, IA. He was the third child of William and Mildred Gysin Distelhorst. He was raised on the family farm, north of Burlington, in Jackson Township. Jim was drafted into the United States Army on June 6, 1953. He took his basic training in Ft. Riley, Kansas. From Ft. Riley he was sent to the Air Force Base in Beale, CA. In March of 1955, he was honorably discharged. On November 26, 1953, Jim married Janet Rehm in her parents' home in Burlington, IA. She survives. Upon his return from the service, Jim went to work for Sherman Smith Engineering of Burlington, where he held the position of land surveyor for 23 years. A farmer at heart, it was in 1967, he and his wife acquired their farm in Henry County, IA, where he farmed and raised livestock until his retirement in 1993. On the farm Jim enjoyed being outdoors, working in the timber, looking for mushrooms, and deer hunting. Following retirement, Jim filled his days with wood working, raising garden produce and canning, attending the Burlington Bees baseball games, and caring for his expanded yard. Jim had a great love of dogs. Two of his special companions were Puppy and Jack. In 1997, Jim was the project leader for the first two Habitat for Humanity houses built simultaneously in Salem. He loved to work hard and knew how to have a laugh. He was always willing to help a person out. Jim was a true Christian gentleman with a great love for his family. He attended the First Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant. Along with his wife Janet of 55 years, Jim is survived by his daughter, Cindy (Tom) Frary of Mt. Pleasant, IA; his son Rick (Tricia) Distelhorst of Washington, IA; two granddaughters and two step-grandsons; a brother Donald Distelhorst of Burlington, IA; and three nieces and two nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; one brother William Distelhorst Jr.; a sister, Bonnie (Mrs. Doug) Wyss, and three nephews.