Jim Demmer

Jim Demmer, 71, of Asbury, passed away at home on Saturday, June 22, 2024, after a 3 year and 10 month battle with pancreatic cancer.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Monday, July 1, 2024 at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Crematory.
The Mass of Christian Burial for Jim will be at 10:30 am on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at Church of the Resurrection with Father Phil Gibbs as the Celebrant. Additional visitation will be held from 9:00 am until 10:00 am on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Crematory. Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery in Centralia, at a later date.
Jim was born on February 28, 1953, in Manchester, IA, the son of Leo Henry and Stella Mae (Goedken) Demmer. On July 12, 1986, he married Carol Ann Mottet in Dyersville, Iowa.
Jim, the third of nine children, grew up on the family farm outside of Peosta. He graduated from St. Joseph High School in Farley in 1971. He went on to receive his bachelor's degree in education from Loras College in 1975.
He began his teaching career in Clinton, Iowa but returned to northeastern Iowa and the Western Dubuque school district. In addition to his many different classroom courses he was also a teacher on the sidelines. His career began on the junior high girls' basketball sideline and ended as a Western Dubuque Hall of Fame inductee. He also lent his voice as the announcer at Bobcat stadium for over twenty years. His 36-year teaching tenure came to a close with his retirement in 2011.
Jim had many passions in his life; traveling far and wide, Italy, Alaska, Germany, Utah, and many places in between, or he could be found in Kinnick or Carver cheering on his Hawkeyes, or maybe some major league city rooting for the Cleveland Guardians. A little closer to home, he would be tending to the flowers or garden. Softball with the Not Dead Yet team, a round of golf, or a card game would keep him competitive. His wife Carol shared these with Jim over their nearly 38 years of marriage.
Jim led a full and joyous life in service to others. Whether it was as a coach on the sidelines or a mentor in the classroom; as a Eucharistic minister and lector at church or an extra pair of hands on a family farm; a loud distinctive voice cheering from the stands, or a wry pun to make you laugh (or cringe); donating blood and platelets and the ultimate gift, organ donation, he was always willing to help.
The euchre deck is ready, Stella, Leo, and Dan have been waiting and it is your deal.
Survivors include his wife, Carol of Dubuque; three brothers, Ken (Jean) Demmer of Platteville, WI; Joe (Pam) Demmer of Fredericktown, MO; and Rick (Kathy) Demmer of Peosta, IA; four sisters, Marilyn (Rich) Heinisch of Dubuque; Diane (Joe) Vaske of Freeport, IL; LuAnn (Brian) Manternach of Cascade, IA; and Marge (Scott) Coleman of Dubuque; his mother-in-law, JoAnn Mottet of Delhi, IA; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Mary Lynn (Vernon) Farrell, Sheryl (Frank) Roche, Mike (Nancy) Mottet, David (Tami) Mottet, Lynda (Steve) McLuen, Karen (Ken) Shields, and Mike (Jan) Broerman; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Jim was preceded in death by one brother, Dan Demmer; father-in-law, Howard Mottet; sister-in-law, Diane Broerman; and nephew, Sean Mottet.
A special thank you to Hospice of Dubuque, especially, Tami, Nicole, and Sara, and the Medical Associates Oncology staff, for their loving care of Jim.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Pancreatic Cancer Research, Hospice of Dubuque, or a charity of your choice.