James "Jim" Mensen

James (Jim) Francis Mensen, 79, of Decorah, IA, passed away peacefully at his home on January 31, 2026, after a short battle with cancer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 6, 2026, at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 307 W Main Street, Decorah, Iowa, with Rev. Donald Hertges presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery with full military rites.

Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E Water Street, Decorah, Iowa. A rosary will be held at 3:30 p.m. before the visitation on Thursday at the funeral home. There will be no visitation before the service on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Benedict School, Decorah, for the new playground project.

Jim was born on March 21, 1946, in Manchester, Iowa, to Ambrose and MaryAnn (Engelken) Mensen. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and graduated from West Delaware High School in 1964. Jim grew up on a farm, and that farming passion continued throughout his whole life. After graduation, Jim worked in Manchester until he joined the U.S. Navy in 1965. While in the Navy, he was stationed in Kingsville, TX, serving as an AMH2 Aviation Mechanic Hydraulics, 2nd Class, and was honorably discharged in 1969. 

In 1967, Jim, while out with his Navy buddies, went to Shakey’s Pizza Parlor in Corpus Christi, TX. The song Let Me Call You Sweetheart was played, and the Navy guys all serenaded Jeanette (Skoruppa) and her cousin…and the rest is history. They were married on January 13, 1968. Together they raised three children, Kristy, Molly, and Jeffrey. 

Jim worked 22 years for Burroughs Corporation, later Unisys, repairing bookkeeping machines at businesses and banks throughout northeast Iowa. Then he worked for 11 years at Pierce Industrial Electronics, repairing electrical controls and timers. He enjoyed keeping up with technology, always had gadgets to tinker with, and he could fix almost anything. After retiring in 2008, his family came first. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He looked forward to family time, including family campouts, kids' sporting events and activities, rarely missing any school programs for grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Jim was a dedicated member of the Knights of Columbus, where he served as a 4th Degree Knight. He was proud to be part of the Spring Dinner, Nordic Fest Parade, handing out Tootsie Rolls, maintaining the St. Benedict School playground, and any event sponsored by the KC’s. 

Jim is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jeanette (Skoruppa) Mensen, daughter, Kristy (Jon) Meyer of Ossian, daughter, Molly (Dana) Tabbert of Oskaloosa, son, Jeffrey (LeAnn) Mensen of Ridgeway, grandchildren Carter Meyer, Rachel Meyer, Ethan (Andrea) Tabbert, Emma Tabbert, Melanie (Dylan) Stull, Crystal (Nick) Elsbernd, and Austin Mensen. Great-grandchildren Aven Meyer, Troy, Trevor, and Taylor Stennes and Aiden Stull; Selyse and Sofia Elsbernd. Sisters: Agnes (Don) Burns, Carolyn (Allen) Wilson, Donna (Bill) Thomsen, Sandy (Bob) Kass, Janet Fortman, Diane (Mike) Even, Teresa Mensen, Ruth (Al) Boge. Brother: Bill (Lisa) Mensen, as well as Jeanette's 10 siblings and their families. 

Jim was preceded in death by his parents: Ambrose and MaryAnn Mensen; brother-in-law Arnie Fortman; sister Joyce (Mensen) and her husband, Ronald Wendt; mother and father-in-law Saraphine (Ranly) and William Skoruppa.