James Emile "Jim" O'Donnell

James Emile “Jim” O’Donnell, 95 of Sioux City, Iowa passed away on Friday, July 26, 2024 at a local hospital due to cancer complications. A Celebration of Life Service will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 8, 2204 at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel with Pastor Catie Newman officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation, with the family present, will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday morning at the funeral home. Online condolences may be offered at www.meyerbroschapels.com Honorary Bearers for Jim’s service will be all his great-grandchildren.

Jim was born, second child of eleven, on March 6, 1929 in Iowa City, Iowa to Joseph and Marie (Ducommun) O’Donnell. He was a child-of-the-depression, which influenced his upbringing, beliefs, and work ethic. He received his education in Larrabee, Iowa, graduating with the Class of 1947. Jim joined the Air National Guard of Iowa and was with the 174 FTR-BMR Squadron from 1950 until 1953. He continued his active duty in Bangor, Maine. 

Jim rented farms in Cherokee County, Iowa, Alta, and Washta. He also worked for Walnut Grove in Cherokee until 1968. After moving to Sioux City, Iowa, Jim worked for IBP until retirement as a Maintenance Supervisor. Jim enjoyed camping, boating, fishing, and gardening. He was an excellent baseball player, avid Iowa Hawkeye arm-chair warrior, for all sports.

Jim is survived by two daughters, Sherri (Duane) Benson of Sioux City and Vonda Anfinson of Sergeant Bluff; two sons Patrick (Sandi) O’Donnell and James W. (Sally) O’Donnell both of Sioux City; two sisters Charlene Kirk of Salix and Carla Schlines of Sioux City, two brothers Thomas O’Donnell of Sioux City and Gary O’Donnell of Boise, Idaho; grandchildren Anna (Joses) Walehwa, Juanita (Nate) Sands, Travis (Stephanie) Benson, Jennifer (Nick) Marlow, Jeaneen (Kirby) Eli, Stephanie (Mike) Mohr, Shannon O’Donnell, and Tyler (Blair) O’Donnell; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his son Kevin O’Donnell; parents, three sisters Betty (Walter) Sembach, Marty (Jerry) Meisner, and Jeanette (Ralph) Wilson; three brothers Robert O’Donnell, Lyle O’Donnell, and Joseph (Gerri) O’Donnell; son-in-law Garrett Anfinson; and brothers-in-law Bill Kirk and Larry Schlines.