James Richard "Jim" Buettel

1943 - 2025

James "Jim" Richard Buettel

February 6, 1943 - October 11, 2025

James "JIm" Richard Buettell, Iowa City, formerly of Waterloo, passed away peacefully at 9:59 p.m. on Sunday, October 11, 2025, at the University Hospital in Iowa City, at the age of 82.

Jim was born on February 6, 1943 to John Haines Buettell and Geneva Christina Manetta Frohs in Dubuque, the youngest of six children. He married Joann Kathy Gaber on March 2, 1963 in Dubuque. They had three children-Terri, Mark, and Brian.

Jim worked as a quality control engineer at John Deere for most of his career, starting in Dubuque before transferring to Waterloo. He retired in 2001. He was an active member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. On his own time, he enjoyed making things with his hands and, for many years, did glass work for the Amish furniture makers in the Hazleton area. He also loved space and the night sky, rocks, classical music, aeronautics, and football. Jim was an honorable man-a faithful husband, good father, and fun grandfather.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Joann Buettell and Nancy (Steve) Waller; and his brothers, Jon (Nancy) and Stephen (Sharon). He is survived by his wife, of Iowa City; his children, Terri, of Morning Sun, Mark, of Los Angeles, Calif., and Brian (Kellie), of Bryceville, Fla.; his grandchildren, Breyden, of Bryceville, Fla., Geneva (Tyler) Dillon, of Fort Dodge, Andrew, of Wever, Kelsey, of Morning Sun, and Hayley, of Tiffin, eight great grandchildren, and his brother, Thomas, of Northfield, Minn.