James “Jim” Agnew
Des Moines – James “Jim” Agnew, 87, of Des Moines passed absent on January 18, 2022, thanks to Alzheimer’s illness. Jim was born in Winterset, Iowa, to Brown and Louise Agnew on December 9, 1934. Substantial school sweethearts, Jim and Marian Veltman had been married in 1957 just after Jim’s graduation from Iowa State College. Jim and Marian celebrated every single of their 56 a long time of marriage till Marian’s dying in 2013. They constructed a attractive lifetime alongside one another, raising a few girls – Jeanine, Lynn and Lisa — as nicely as welcoming Stacy to their household right after the dying of her moms and dads.
Generating their residence in Des Moines in 1960, Jim began his vocation in the lifestyle insurance plan marketplace and retired after 30 years from American Mutual Lifestyle as Senior Vice President of Advertising and marketing. Starting in higher school and continuing via the age of 85, Jim held many management roles in the neighborhood. His optimistic outlook on life, eager enterprise head, easygoing mother nature, and willingness to pay attention made him an asset to the several organizations of which he was a section. He had a robust faith in God and was an lively member of 1st United Methodist Church, spearheading the constructing renovation challenge that continue to serves the church these days. He served as president of the board of Wesley Acres for numerous decades even prior to making it his household five decades in the past, as nicely as the board of the Salvation Military.
Every day located Jim pursuing just one of his several hobbies or passions. Jim’s beloved Century Farm he obtained in Madison County following retirement was a supply of satisfaction and love and gave him an countless variety of assignments as he restored the farmhouse and managed the land. He and Marian entertained spouse and children and a lot of buddies there, as nicely as their Des Moines home. Jim and Marian enjoyed tenting with their travel trailer club each thirty day period and paying Septembers in Bella Vista, Arkansas. Jim cherished getting extended day by day walks, bowling in his Friday league, conference up with his foursome for Saturday golfing video games, and actively playing in a number of bridge clubs.
Jim had a good sense of humor, an straightforward chuckle, and could rib or participate in a joke as effectively as he could get a joke or ribbing. He instilled in his young children and grandchildren a potent sense of faith, family, education, and local community involvement and was affectionately recognized as “Mr. A” to his lots of honorary daughters, buddies of his ladies.
Jim was predeceased by wife Marian and daughter Lisa (Agnew) Kaufman, his mom and dad, and sister Nancy Clarke. Left to cherish his memory are daughters Lynn (Paul) Mankins and Jeanine (John) Ritter son-in-regulation Robert Kaufman grandchildren Chelsea (Marcus) Jones, Emily Ritter, Adam Mankins, Abby Mankins, Elijah Kaufman, and Jonah Kaufman, as effectively as in-laws he considered of as his personal siblings, nieces and nephews. Memorial donations may perhaps be produced to Wesley Acres Good Samaritan Fund, the Salvation Military, or DMARC.
A memorial assistance celebrating Jim’s everyday living will be held at To start with United Methodist Church, 1001 Pleasurable Road, Des Moines, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 29. Masks will be required at the provider, which will also be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEdyWdaHYXGb-egDSe9x3yA/showcased. Arrangements made by Slade-O’Donnell funeral house, with an on the web visitor guide accessible at sladefuneralhome.com.
Posted online on January 20, 2022
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