James "Jim" Hasselman

James Hasselman, 99, of Oskaloosa, died Monday, August 29, 2011, at the Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. He was born August 15, 1912, at the family home near Lacey, Iowa, the son of Peter and Mabel Fields Hasselman. Early on, he farmed the family farm with his dad. On August 19, 1937, he was united in marriage to Mae DePrenger, at a farm near Leighton; Mae died November 22, 1977. In 1954 they moved to Chariton, Iowa, where Jim farmed and was a fieldman for Farm Bureau in Lucas and Marion counties. In 1957, they moved to Knoxville where he continued to work for Farm Bureau. In 1960, they moved back to Oskaloosa and Jim started working for the old R.F. & W.B. Fitch Company delivering auto parts. He retired in 1978. On August 27, 1986, he was married to Sarah Richards at Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas. Jim stayed in Horseshoe Bend with Sarah until moving to Knoxville, Iowa, in September of 2008. Sarah passed away on March 28, 2009. In July of 2009 Jim moved into Maple Ridge Assisted Living in Oskaloosa. Jim always had a shop where he enjoyed tinkering with projects. He was a member of the Central United Methodist Church in Oskaloosa. His family includes his two daughters: Marilyn Van Soelen of West Des Moines, and Elaine (& Duane) Eveland of Oskaloosa; five grandchildren: Lori Leggett, Steve (& Amy) Van Soelen, Jim (& Shelli) Eveland, Brian (& Jody) Eveland, and Eric Eveland; and nine great grandchildren: Maggie, Hannah, and Bennett Van Soelen, Brooke, Megan, and Anna Eveland, Adlynn and Cale Eveland, and Jessie Eveland. In addition to his two wives, Jim was preceded in death by his parents; a son in law: Lloyd Van Soelen; two sisters and a brother in law: Gertie (& Arthur) DeBoef and Irene Hasselman; and a grandson in law: Todd Leggett. Graveside funeral services and burial will be held Thursday, September 1, 2011, at 1 p.m. in Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa with Reverend Tom Boomershine officiating. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. A procession will form at the funeral chapel Thursday by 12:45 p.m. for those wishing to go to the cemetery. Open visitation will be at the funeral chapel on Wednesday from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Mahaska Hospice Serenity House.