Jim E. Niemeyer

James E. Niemeyer 83, of Guttenberg, IA, died on Friday February, 3, 2017 at his home in Guttenberg. He was born on September 24, 1933, in Guttenberg, the son of Milton "Mick" and Helen Marie (Reet) Niemeyer. Jim graduated from St. Marys High School in Guttenberg in 1951, and married Monica A. Hudacek at St. Johns Catholic Church in Connellsville, Pennsylvania on April 15, 1961. Jim enlisted in the United States Air Force on May 29, 1952, and was trained as an Airborne Radio Operator. He was shipped to Misawa AB, Japan in May 1953, and served as an Administration Specialist and finally as a Personnel Sergeant in the 49th Fighter Bomber Wing. Upon rotation back to the United States (June 1955) Jim was assigned to Chanute AFB, Il as a Personnel Sergeant prior to entry into Aviation Cadets for Navigator training (October 1956). Graduating on Friday the 13th December 1957 as a Second Lieutenant, he entered into Electronic Warfare Officer training and later assigned to B-47 aircraft (Aug 1958) at Lockbourne AFB, Columbus Ohio. Two years later he was assigned to Carswell AFB, Fort Worth, Texas in the B-58 and eventually moved with the 43rd Bomb Wing in B-58s to Little Rock AFB, Ar. In 1964. When the B-58 was phased out (Jan 1970) Jim was assigned to KC-135 aircraft (April 1971) to McConnell AB, Wichita, Ks and one year later (August 1972) Jim retired after 20 years and two months of active duty with the rank of Major. In retirement, Jim drove a school bus for the Guttenberg School District for 25 years and was founding Emergency Medical Technician (1974) for the Guttenberg Ambulance Service for 23 years. Jim served on the Guttenberg City Council as well as on the board of RISE in Elkader (A Sheltered Workshop). Jim continued (from high school) to be a Commercial Fisherman after retirement and furnished free fish, cleaned, dressed and ready for the pan to all his neighbors for over 30 years. Jim loved spending any and all of his spare time boating and fishing on the Mississippi River as well as working in his large garden. Jim was a lifetime member of the American Legion as well as a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (Korean and Vietnam). The "love" of his life were his two grandsons, Andrew and Alexander Niemeyer, who he raised their entire life within his own home as his own children. The Good Lord, in His Wisdom, allowed James to live a charmed life into his 80s so as to continue to serve as a court appointed guardian and conservator for his grandson, Andrew, the "apple of James eye". For many were the times that, throughout his life, James found himself in situations and or circumstances which would have normally resulted in James demise. However, the Good Lord saw fit for James to continue on this earth for, apparently, the benefit of his grandson, Andrew, who now lives a happy and contended life in spite of more than Andrews share of early life problems. For this "extended" life James always gave thanks to the Lord Jesus and supplication from Padre Pio and St Jude. In Lieu of flowers, Jim has requested donations to be made to St. Marys Catholic School in Guttenberg. Service Information Visitation Monday February 6, 2017 12:30 PM to 1:25 PM St. Mary's Catholic Church 520 S 2nd St Guttenberg, IA 52052 Funeral Service Monday February 6, 2017 1:30 PM St. Mary's Catholic Church 520 S 2nd St Guttenberg, IA 52052 Interment Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery Miners Creek Rd Guttenberg, IA 52052