"I am so sorry for your loss Diane. Sending love and prayers to you and your family. "
In loving memory of
James "Jim" William Oltmann
April 5, 1955 - February 10, 2019
James "Jim" William Oltmann, 63, of Grimes, Iowa, passed away in an automobile accident due to a cardiac event on Sunday, February 10, 2019, near Grimes. He was born on April 5, 1955, at Allen Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa, to James R. and Barbara (Williams) Oltmann.
Jim graduated from Allison-Bristow High School in 1973 in Allison. He was united in marriage on May 2, 1980, at the United Methodist Church in Nashua to Diane Kellner. To this union, two children were born, James "Jimmy" and Jamie.
Jim's career began at the Kesley locker as a meat cutter. His dream of owning his own business became true when he owned and operated the Shell Rock Locker and Poultry in Shell Rock. In 1984, he started as a Meat Manager for Food 4 Less and the family was transferred to the Des Moines metro area and have lived in Grimes since. In 1996, Jim owned and operated his Brownsberry Route around the Des Moines area. This was when the family bought a lake house on Sun Valley Lake, Ellston, Iowa. The route allowed Jim to spend many days and weekends at the lake enjoying life. This was, of course, if the kids did not have any school events going on--he never missed an event. He was on the football chain gang for all of Jimmy's and some of Jamie's high school years and worked the softball fields before all of Jamie's games. When Jimmy went to college, Jim and Diane would make it to all the football games. He was very proud of his children's achievements and they were his pride and joy. In 2011, Jim left the route and began working at 3M in Ames until his passing.
Jim loved to fish, hunt and spend time outside with Jimmy and watching TV and going to movies with Jamie. He enjoyed going back home to be with his family just to hang out. He was always seen around town with the dogs hanging out the window. His dogs were part of his family. In 2012, our family expanded with the birth of his only grandchild, Brinley Kate Oltmann. He loved being a grandpa and watching her grow up.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Diane of Grimes; son Jimmy (Kate Flater- fiancée) of Ankeny; daughter Dr. Jamie of Waterloo; granddaughter Brinley of Ankeny; father, James R.; brothers Joel (Deb), Jon (Diane) and sister Mary (Mike) Hall all of Allison; brother-in-laws Leroy of Charles City, Charles of Ionia and sister-in-law Cindy (Mason Larson) Kellner of Cedar Falls; many nieces and nephews and the family's four legged companions, Josie, Ginger, Rue, Sadie and Stella.
He was preceded in death by his mother Barbara, father and mother-in-law John and Lorraine Kellner, brother-in-law Craig Kellner and the family's four legged companions, Jody, Jill, Abby and Chloe.
Tributes
"Riding to work with Jim, I always enjoyed his stories about hunting, fishing at the cabin, watching his son play football, his daughter become a pharmacist, and his wife getting him a job at 3M. I will miss seeing and talking with him at work. He will be missed. Tony Baldus"
"Prayers for you all, that God may strengthen you and comfort you. Pastor Jessica Wietzke"
"Joel and I loved when Jimmy would bring Jim with him out to the property on the outskirts of Knoxville. You could see the joy he had of just being able to spend time with Jimmy and his grand daughter. May god wrap his arms around each and every one of you and give you his comfort. We are so sorry for your loss. Joel and Janet Betterton"
"I have truly lost a true friend. We did so many things together. If Jim & I would have written a book, it would have been a best seller! All the times we went camping & fishing at the West Fork River in the back of my folks' farm. We practically lived back there. I will never forget those times. The fishing & camping trips we took to the Mississippi River so many times. The boats we bought together. We lived in the water! There is a lot more . . . way too much to mention. So sorry for your loss. I will miss you, Jim. Otto Tjaden"
"I also was a classmate of Jims. I have many fond memories of Jim and want to send my condolences to his family. He was a great guy."
"I used to work with Jim at 3M. When we worked together we would talk and we found out we had a lot in common. We both grew up in North Central Iowa (Latimer is my home town). We both were meat cutters and we both loved our dogs. He spoke to me often of his family and it was very clear how proud of ALL of you he was. He also told me how much he loved taking the dogs to the lake and letting them run through the woods. I'm so sad and sorry for your loss. I know he will be missed."
"Our deepest condolences to Diane, Jamie & Jimmy. When we were neighbors and Rod would travel Jim protected me some punks in the neighborhood & I'll never forget that! ((Hugs)) to you all! "
"Thinking of you and your family .May God bless you and send you the strength you will need to deal with the loss of your loved one. You are all such wonderful caring people and we wish you the best in the difficult days ahead. Scott and Christine Siemons. "
"So sorry for all of you. We just saw Jim in the grocery store a few weeks ago and had a chance to visit with him. You are all in our prayers. Rick and Deanna Richeson"
"Jimmy was a classmate and friend in school. He was always such a kind wonderful guy! I am so sorry for your loss. Paula DeBower Bruno class of 1973 AB High"
"So sorry Diane and family. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May God grant you strength and comfort in the days ahead. Millie Liddle"
"I am so sorry for all of you. He was far too young and will be missed. Prayers"
"You were a great neighbor and even better friend. Prayers to the family. Tom Wengert"
"Sending our thoughts and prayers to the family. So very sorry for your loss."
"Diane and family, My sincere sympathy to you and your family. I have a lot of memories fishing in Canada in our youth. May God bless you. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. Tom Ackerman"