"To the Kolp Family- I am sorry for your loss. Jim was my first insurance agent when I got my first car, and then for many years after that. I liked Jim and he treated me very good during that time. Even when I would see Jim outside the office he would still take time to speak to me. Thank you for sharing your Dad with us! Dale Briggs"
In loving memory of
James R. Kolp
June 1, 1928 - February 2, 2019
James Rush Kolp passed away peacefully on February 2, 2019, at the age of 90. He was born on June 1, 1928 to Lida Saunders Kolp and James Rush Kolp, Sr., and grew up in Ida Grove, Iowa.
Jim attended Grinnell College where he played football, earned a degree in economics, and met the love of his life, Nyda Lea Haas. Jim and Nyda married in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on August 19, 1950. After serving 18 months in the US Army (Virginia), Jim and Nyda moved back to Iowa where Jim took a job selling life insurance door-to-door. In 1953, Jim and Nyda purchased the Algona Insurance Agency, and successfully grew the business for fifty years.
They raised a family, daughter Nancy and son Tom, enjoyed many cherished friendships, and helped make Algona an even more wonderful place to live. They loved their home on Minnesota Street, their dream home on Oak Ridge Drive, and their cottage on Lake Okoboji. They cherished their bridge clubs and many holidays/vacations with their couple's club friends; enjoyed golf; and in their retirement years, traveled to Europe, the USSR, and Alaska.
Jim was a Lion's Club member, a Mason, and chaired the Algona Parks and Recreation committee. He was a devoted member of the United Church of Christ, where he served several years as a Deacon. Jim and Nyda gave generously of their time and resources to their church, their community, and their neighbors. If there was a need, such as when one of their babysitters was short on funds for college, they quietly stepped up.
James R. Kolp was a good, hard-working, honest man. He had a kind, beautiful and giving heart. Later in life, and for many years, he suffered from devastating bouts of depression. But his heart was always strong and pure, as was his self-effacing manner, sense of humor, and infectious laugh. If there was a game to play, any kind of card game, Ping Pong, basketball (more like tackle basketball), Frisbee football, he was all over it.
He is survived by his son, Thomas Kolp; son-in-law, Steve Erickson; sister, Carol Kaberle; grandson, Brad Erickson, wife Catherine, and great grandsons, Oliver and Emmet; grandson Jim Erickson, wife Tara, great grandsons, Beckham and Crew, and great granddaughters, Harlow and Indie; and grandson, Grant Erickson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nyda Lea Haas Kolp, daughter, Nancy Kolp Erickson and brother, Jackson S. Kolp.
A private family memorial and burial will take place at a later date.
Tributes
"So sorry to hear of Jim's passing.
I babysat for Nancy and Tom back in the 60's on Minnesota Street. Wonderful family. Be at peace, Tom. Your dad was one of the good guys."
"Tom and Family, I went to church with Jim and Nyda. Their presence was strong at First Congregational UCC. I have wonderful memories of both, as well as Nancy attending church when she would visit. Peace to your family, and please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. "
"Tom, Steve, & Family, We were sad to hear of Jim's passing but know he is now at peace. So many memories working for him. He taught me a good work ethic and still let me put family first. I think Judy & I invented job sharing. He said he never worried about who would be there, one of us would be. He always put his insureds first fighting hard for them even though they may never knew it. Loved their Christmas parties at their lovely home and they were always generous to us. It was sad to see him suffer in later years, losing Nyda and recently Nancy. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. You have had so much sadness recently."
"Deepest Sympathy to you Tom and all of your family with the loss of your Father JIM!! Lots of great Memories of your had through Algona insurance! Thinking of you!! The Sewicks, Randy , Lori and Family"
"I got to know Jim through my office work with Oliver S. Carlson. Every word and description of his character written in his obituary I found to be true. He was as ?Genuine? as they come. May he Rest In Peace. My sympathies to his family. "
"Tom: I am sorry for the loss of your Father. I worked for Jim in thearly 60s and always respected him and Nyla. He was such a fair and GIVING person. I esp remember the many atlas and calendars he gave and fun other things. Sincerely, Betty Hanna of Tipton, Iowa"