63761_James Willard “Jim”_Ott
ROCKFORD | James “Jim” Ott, 80, of Rockford, died Friday, Jan. 24, 2014, at the Nora Springs Care Center in Nora Springs.
Funeral services for James Ott will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, at Zion Lutheran Church in Rockford. Pastor Robert Scheurer will officiate. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery at Rockford.
Friends may call at the Zion Lutheran Church, 805 E. Main Ave. in Rockford, from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.
James “Jim” Willard Ott was born in Dougherty on May 6, 1933, to Roy and Esther (Hill) Ott. He graduated from Rockford High School in 1953, where he enjoyed playing football. Jim entered the Army in the fall of 1953, serving his country in Texas and Germany. He married Louise deBuhr in 1955.
Thanks to a generous gift of organ donation, Jim was a 21-year liver transplant survivor. He always treasured getting together with extended family and friends in the farm shop. In recent years, Jim enjoyed eating out with classmates that lived nearby. He also loved traveling and getting to know the friends at Valle Del Oro in Arizona.
Living family members include his wife, Louise, of 58 years; son Jimmy (Stacey) Ott and children Paul, Gary and Karen; son, Jeff (Mary) Ott and children Matthew and Jennifer; son, Gene (Beckey) Ott and children Seth, Nicholas and Megan; son, Joel (Ashley) Ott and children Kyle and Eric; great-grandchildren: Grace, Gideon and Paisley; siblings: Richard, Don (Dee) and Larry (Sharon); sisters-in-law: Kathryn and Til; brother-in-law, Dean Abbott; along with several nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandchildren: Nathan and Patrick; and his siblings: Eunice, Malcolm, Gladys, Mary, Homer, Grace, Evelyn, Ila, Harold and Lois.
The Hauser Funeral Home, 641-228-2323, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hauserfh.com.