Jim Vlaanderen
VLAANDEREN, KNOWLES, LEET, RADCLIFFE, GUTHALS, HENRY, BYRNE, RENKEN, BOUCHARD
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 11/19/2024 at 14:58:42
Jim Vlaanderen, 73, died peacefully in his home in Iowa City, Iowa on Friday September 13, 2024 of pancreatic cancer.
Danny Lee Knowles was born on March 19, 1951, in Sioux City to Janet Irene Knowles. He was adopted as an infant by Richard Vlaanderen and Neola (Leet) Vlaanderen. Rich and Neola provided him with both a loving family and a new name: James Allen Vlaanderen. Jim graduated from Riverside High School in Sioux City, and then earned his B.S. in Engineering Science at Iowa State University. He worked as an engineer for several companies in western and north-central Iowa.
In 1990, Jim cofounded Stellar Industries in Garner, Iowa with Francis Zrostlik and Gary Bomstad. Jim was a skilled engineer who earned the nickname MacGuyver for his creative solutions to problems. He was proud to have patented eight of his designs.
Jim married Mindy Radcliffe Guthals in 1980 after a whirlwind 3-week courtship. With that marriage, Jim gained a son, Derek Guthals. Jim and Mindy’s daughter April was born in 1981. The family lived in Clear Lake, Garner, Norwalk, and Klemme. Jim and Mindy later lived in Sioux City, Newton, Montezuma, and Iowa City. Jim lovingly cared for Mindy after she developed dementia. Jim and Mindy enjoyed 43 years of marriage before her death in 2023.
Jim is survived by his children, April (Jacob Henry) Vlaanderen and Derek Guthals, as well as grandchildren Cody Guthals, Casey (Jake) Byrne, Kayla Guthals, and Max Vlaanderen Henry, and great-grandson Watson Guthals. He is also survived by his sister Mary (Marlyn) Renken and many other beloved family members and friends whom he loved as family. Jim was thrilled to connect with his biological family in later years, particularly his special cousin Vicki Bouchard. Jim was predeceased by his parents and his wife.
Jim donated his body to the University of Iowa.
At Jim’s request, there will be no funeral services. His family would like to thank the wonderful nurses and staff at St. Croix Hospice of Cedar Rapids who provided such compassionate care.
Jim was a striver who sought continual self-improvement. He was always up for a new adventure, so long as it didn’t involve heights. Although Jim’s life plans were derailed by severe illnesses, in the end, he was content and at peace. He said that he could not imagine a more perfect life. And for those of us who knew him and loved him, our lives were made more perfect by his presence. He will be greatly missed.
Condolences to the family may be sent to PO Box 167, Iowa City 52244 or to www.lensingfuneral.com
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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