James Carl Sporleder

James Carl Sporleder, the son of Carl F. and Sophia M. (Sievers) Sporleder, was born August 10, 1935, in Carroll, Iowa and died May 13, 2017, at his home in Elk Horn, Iowa at the age of 81 years, 9 months, and 3 days.
James was baptized and confirmed at the Lutheran Church in Lidderdale, Iowa. He attended rural schools and graduated from the Lake City High School with the Class of 1953. He then helped operate the family farm. On August 5, 1954, James enlisted into the U.S. Army. During his tour of duty he served as a Clerk Typist and was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. On August 3, 1956, he was honorably discharged. He returned and was employed by the Grinnell Telephone Company in Rockwell City, Iowa for a few years.
On December 20, 1956, he was united in marriage to Verna Jackson at the Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Lake City, Iowa. They were blessed with three children, Beth, Wayne, and Michael. James worked for Grinnell telephone until 1957. He started working as a lineman for Iowa Public Service. Over the years, he was transferred to Humboldt, Iowa, Audubon, Iowa, and finally Elk Horn, Iowa where he worked until he retired in 1998. During retirement, he enjoyed wood working and spending time at their lake home in Lake View, Iowa. He enjoyed playing golf, cards and boating. Most of all he loved to spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
James was an active member of the Elk Horn Lutheran Church in Elk Horn, Iowa. He was a member of American Legion Post # 332, Elk Horn, Iowa. James was involved in many community activities. He was a member of the Better Elk Horn Club and was one of the last original members of the Danish Windmill Board.
Preceding him in death were his parents; an infant sister; his father-in-law and mother-in-law John and Vera Jackson; his sister-in-law Helen Allen; and his brothers-in-law Henry Pfiester, James Jackson, and Myron Bogatzke.
Survivors include his wife Verna Sporleder of Elk Horn, Iowa; his children Beth and husband Craig DeBolt of Red Oak, Iowa, Wayne and wife Loida Sporleder of Aroura, Colorado, and Michael and wife Chelli Sporleder of Red Oak, Iowa; his grandchildren Lindsay DeBolt and Fiancé Ben Halstead-Smyth of Overland Park, Kansas, Emily and husband Luke Lehman of Fort Collins, Colorado, Molly and husband Michael Nardiello of Overland Park, Kansas, Chenell Dizon and Ciara and husband Nick Deroches all of Montreal, Canada, Curtis Sporleder of Atlantic, Iowa, Brett Sporleder of Massena, Iowa, Tanner Sporleder of Des Moines, Iowa, T.J. and wife Alyx Fenton of Grain Valley, Missouri, and Morgan and husband Cameron Lewellen of Stanton, Iowa; his great granddaughter Elsie June Halstead-Smyth of Overland Park, Kansas; his sister Joann Pfiester of Rochester, Minnesota; his brother Larry and wife Susan Sporleder of Glendale, Arizona; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Wilma Bogatzke of Manning, Iowa, John and wife Luwanna Jackson of Beatrice, Nebraska, Bonnie and husband Ron Rocker of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Robert Allen of Macksburg, Iowa; nieces, nephews other relatives and many friends.
The family will meet with friends Tuesday evening, May 16, 2017, at 6:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Keith Menter on Wednesday morning, May 17, 2017, at 10:30 A.M. at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church in Elk Horn, Iowa. Interment will be in the Elk Horn Lutheran Cemetery. The honorary casket bearers will be Mark Richards, Keith Madsen, Howard Sorensen, Tim Frederiksen, Don Nielsen, Henry Walter, Willis Hansen, Ray Diekman, Rollie Hansen, Melvin Andersen, and Duane Christoffersen. The casket bearers will be grandsons Tanner Sporleder, Curtis Sporleder, Brett Sporleder, Ben Halstead-Smyth, Luke Lehman, Michael Nardiello, T.J. Fenton, and Cameron Lewellen.