James "Jim" Andreasen

James "Jim" Andreasen

Algona

Justice James H. "Jim" Andreasen, Algona, died May 14, 2015. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at the First United Methodist Church in Algona. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Monday, May 18, 2015, at the church.

James was born May 16, 1931, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to John and Alice Wilberg Andreasen, and was the oldest of three children (James, JoAnn, and David). He grew up in Ringsted, Iowa, before attending college and Law School at the University of Iowa.

After graduating from Law School, James began practicing law in Algona where he met and married Janet Kimmel in 1961. They had three children, Jon, Amy and Steve. Janet passed away in 1985. In 1987, James married Marilyn "Midge" Kuester, adding three more sons to his family, Charlie, Stephen and Dan.

James served on the Algona city council and as the city attorney in the early 1960s. In 1975, James was appointed by Governor Robert Ray as a State of Iowa District Court Judge. He was then appointed by Governor Terry Branstad as a Justice on the Iowa Supreme Court in 1987 serving until his retirement from that Court in 1999. James then served as a Senior Judge until 2009 when he retired after 51 years as a lawyer and a judge.

James was in the Air Force ROTC at Iowa, served in the United States Air Force from 1954 - 1956 and then in the Air Force Reserve until 1975 and retired as a Lt. Colonel. In Algona, James was active in the First United Methodist Church, the American Legion and other service organizations.

James was a life-long and loyal Iowa Hawkeye fan. He was an avid runner, golfer and reader. During his retirement he enjoyed travelling with Midge and spending time with his seven grandchildren, family and friends.

He is survived by his wife Midge; children Charlie Kuester of Ames, and his special friend Lori Roethler, Stephen Kuester (and his daughter Rebecca) and his special friend Antoinette Brown of Port Orange, Florida; Dan Kuester and wife Monique (and their children Kalena and Ian) of Newport, Rhode Island, Jon Andreasen of West Des Moines, Amy (Buffington) and husband Dave (and their children Andrea, Paige and Carson) of Louisburg, Kansas, and Steve Andreasen and wife Misty (and their daughter Delaney) of Sioux City; his sister JoAnn (Smith) of Grand Junction, Colorado and brother Dave Andreasen and his wife Ann of Cedar Falls; and many nieces and nephews.

James was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Janet, and brother-in-law, Dick Smith.

Arrangements are being handled by Oakcrest Funeral Services of Algona. www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com.