James W. Meister, age 92 of Lake View, IA, passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, at Loring Hospital in Sac City, IA. James William Meister was born on July 17, 1927, to parents Edward and Elizabeth (Heller) Meister, in Lake View. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wall Lake, IA, and was a life-long member there. Jim attended Viola Township No.1 Country School and then began farming with his father on their farm in Lake View in the mid 40’s. Jim was inducted into the United States Army in January of 1952 and served in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in December of 1953.
On February 15, 1954, Jim married the love of his life, Mary Ann Grote, in Arcadia, IA. This union was blessed with six children: Ray, Mary Lou, Ron, Rick, Monica, and Rod. Together, they farmed many acres of land along with raising cattle. Harvest time was Jim’s favorite time of the year. It was, after all, a family operation which meant a lot of hours spent together. Jim loved his family and was so very proud of each and every one of them. Let’s not forget though, just how proud he was of his 8N Ford tractor….even the cows recognized it coming down the lane and would greet him. His grandkids will surely continue to enjoy rides on grandpa’s tractor.
Throughout the years, Jim and Mary Ann enjoyed traveling to many places. Together they had a lot of fun with friends on their occasional casino bus trips. Jim also enjoyed playing cards, especially poker and euchre with his special neighborhood friends.
As Jim’s health was slowly failing him, his loving heart was surely not. The day he left his earthly body to rest eternally in God’s care, he had gone on what would be his last ride around the countryside with his daughter, Monica. They first drove to the cemetery to visit Mary Ann’s grave. Next they went around the lake and then finished by driving around the section to take a look at the farm ground. They returned home after such a beautiful day and it was then that Jim was rushed to the hospital. He missed Mary Ann greatly and it gives all of his family so much peace to know that he was now able to spend Easter Sunday with the love of his life. Jim will be
dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. May he rest in peace in the comfort of God’s loving arms.
Survivors include his children: Ray (Mary Jo) Meister of West Des Moines, IA, Mary Lou (Jim) Dopheide of Carroll, IA, Ron Meister (special friend Jean Lamaak) of Pomeroy, IA, Rick (Jackie) Meister of Lake View, IA, Monica Meister of Lake View, IA, and Rod Meister of Lake View, IA; 16 grandchildren: Melanie Meister Lenius, Christina and Jonathan Meister; Justin and Jason Dopheide and Lisa Knebel; Matt, Sarah, Nathan, and Aaron Meister; Joshua, Jacob, and Jared Meister; and Blake, Teegin and Nick Meister; 18 great-grandchildren: Brecken Lenius, Madi and Charli Dopheide, McKenzie Knebel, Micah Mitchell, Jack Dopheide, Coy, Emerson,
Harper, and Trice Meister, Keyah Sease, Laila, Hadley, Errett, Keely Meister, Madelynn, Connor Linton, and Noah Meister. Other survivors include his sister, Delores Thompson of Lake View, IA; brothers-in-law: Arnie (Marilyn) Grote of Wall Lake, IA, Mike Grote of Moville, IA, Walt (Kathy) Grote of Wall Lake, IA; sisters-in-law Ruth Meister of Lake View, IA, Luella (Bob) Wilwerding of Defiance, IA, and Lois Grote of Wall Lake, IA; many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann Meister; parents Edward and Elizabeth Meister; parents-in-law Anton and Loretta Grote; brothers: Raymond Meister, Darrell Meister, and Dale Meister; brothers-in-law: Tony Grote, Roger O’Tool, Shorty Thompson, and Leo Grote; sisters-in-law: Lillian Meister and Janet Grote; granddaughter Holly Meister.
A Private Family Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wall Lake, IA, with Father Joseph Dillinger and Deacon Butch Stone officiating. Burial will follow at the Wall Lake Cemetery under the direction of Farber & Otteman Funeral Home of Lake View. Mass will be live streamed at www.farberotteman.com as well as live on ‘St. Mary’s Catholic Church – Sac City’ Facebook page. A Celebration of Life gathering for Jim will be held at a later date. In the weeks/months to come, please check Farber & Otteman’s website for updated service information
