James "Jim" Edward "Jim" Elsensohn

James "Jim" Edward Elsensohn was born on May 4, 1944 to Floyd Roush Elsensohn and Doris Elizabeth (Hammond) Elsensohn in Ottumwa, Iowa. He died at 1:48am on Thursday, July 3, 2025 at Phelps Health hospital in Rolla at the age of 81.

Jim is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary, daughter Dr. Sarah (Mike) Kaelin of Rolla, MO; son Mark (Erin) Elsensohn of St. Louis, MO; and five grandchildren, Elizabeth Kaelin and Matthew Kaelin of Rolla, Charlotte Elsensohn, Luke Elsensohn, and Grace Elsensohn of St. Louis.

Jim was a graduate of Ottumwa High School where he had excelled in music and mischief. Despite incredible intelligence, organized education was not an environment in which he thrived. Upon his high school graduation in 1962, Jim attended Western Illinois University before leaving to serve in the United States Army from 1963 until his honorable discharge in 1966. During that time he proudly served his country for two years in VietNam where he worked with the intelligence services. After returning to the states, Jim enrolled at the University of Northern Iowa where he met the love of his life, Mary Kay Brenden. They were married on January 20, 1969. While Mary completed her teaching degree, Jim sold pots and pans door-to-door to support them both.

Following a brief stint as the manager of a mobile home park, Jim began his career in finance as a collections officer for a loan company. After transitioning to banking, Jim served in many roles: teller, lending officer, Vice President of Lending, Senior Vice President, and President. He also completed his education through the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado. Jim's unique skill of being able to rescue failing banks for the FDIC allowed him the opportunity to take his family on their "great western adventure" through various banking jobs in Wyoming and Arizona before returning to the midwest and settling in Rich Hill, MO. Jim served as president of Security Bank of Rich Hill from 1987 until 2012. Under his tenure Security Bank had gone from a bank in jeopardy of being closed to a multi-million dollar bank with five locations. Upon retirement, Jim and Mary moved to Rolla, MO to be near their children and grandchildren.

While proud of his professional success, Jim's greatest source of pride has always been his family. Although he never completed a four year degree, Jim encouraged and helped fund a total of eight college degrees for his wife and children.

Throughout his life Jim enjoyed golf, blackjack, reading, Pac-Man, trivia, and card games. He participated in the Lions Club, VFW, and American Legion. At various times during his life he was part of Newcomers Club, Wappello County/Eldon Fair Board and bridge club in Ottumwa, IA; community theatre, cross-country skiing benefit, and chariot races in Saratoga, WY, pontoon boat parades and sponsor of Hiney Wine in Parker, AZ and Bates County Deputy Sheriff and the announcer for the Famous for the Fourth Parade for over a decade in Rich Hill, MO.

The Visitation Service & Rosary will be held on Monday, July 7, 2025 beginning at 6 to 8 pm at Null & Son Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass will begin at 10am on Tuesday July 8, 2025 at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Interment will follow at the Rolla City Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Pregnancy Resource Center of Rolla or the Veterans Community Project to build tiny homes for veterans in need of housing. https://www.veteranscommunityproject.org/