James Willis Geiselhart

James Willis Geiselhart MUSCATINE, Iowa #45;- James Willis Geiselhart, 78, died Monday, March 29, 2004, of complications of multiple myeloma, a disease he fought for twelve years. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 3, 2004 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 606 N Orchard, Mediapolis, IA. The Rev. Armin Weng will officiate. Visitation will be held at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home, 1931 Houser, Muscatine, IA 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, April 2, 2004. Military Rites will be held. Jim was born December 21, 1925, in Blue Earth, Minnesota, the son of John Clinton and Belma Thomas Geiselhart. At eleven years of age, he and his brother, Gerald Clinton, became the foster sons of Julius and Ida Larson of Frost, Minnesota. He grew to manhood on the Larson farm becoming a confirmed member of the Lutheran faith. He was attending Luther College when he joined the Army-Air Force and served in the South Pacific as a radio operator during World War II. Upon returning from service, he returned to Luther College where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree. He earned his Master of Arts degree from the University of Northern Iowa. Jim's wor...[more]

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ife included being an accountant for several years, being a teacher for twenty-five years, and being in home construction amp; remodeling for fourteen years. He was proud to have started the accounting program for two schools and he was proud of the homes he restored and the ones he built. Jim excelled in his beloved game of golf winning several club championships over the years. He was an avid bowler, loved fishing, and had great fun doing genealogy in his later years. He loved to return to visit his lifelong friends and classmates in southern Minnesota and to attend his family reunions. He developed and wrote a regular newsletter to keep his classmates informed on their comings and goings. Jim was a devoted pet owner and received great pleasure from his new puppy, Harry. Jim loved working with the computer, teaching himself the CAD program to use to design rooms and houses. He was especially proud of the barn he built for him and his wife at their Muscatine home. He enjoyed restoring antique tractors. Jim was a lifelong fan of the Minnesota Vikings and the St. Louis Cards. He was a member of the Morning Sun American Legion and enjoyed playing cards with his buddies at the Legion. Jim's friendships were very important to him and he never took people for granted. Survivors include his devoted wife, Connie Carroll Geiselhart, two daughters, Nancy Joyce Geiken of Ogden, IA, husband, Keith and Kathleen Ann Doughty, husband, Geoffrey of Las Vegas, NV, two sons, Larry Paul and Richard Ray Geiselhart both of Calmar, IA, and six grandchildren and three great grandchildren, and sister-by-choice Helen Jack. He was very proud of his children and their families and loved them dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents John Clinton and Belma Loretta Geiselhart, by his foster parents, Julius and Ida Larson, by his two brothers, Elmer Laverne and Gerald Clinton Geiselhart and three sisters, Ruth Isabel Ward, Wanda Geiselhart, and Peggy Maxine Green.