Jimmie (Jim) Dale Modrell

Jimmie (Jim) Dale Modrell

June 11, 1944 - April 22, 2016

ANITA, Iowa -- A celebration of the life of Jimmie (Jim) Dale Modrell will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 28, 2016, in the Anita Community Center in Anita, Iowa.

Jim was born in North Platte, Neb., to Richard and Violet Modrell, the first of six children: Johnnie, Roger, Shirley, Karen and Rhonda. Most of his growing up years were spent on farms in Nebraska. He had 4-H heifers and played football in high school. His parents moved to Oregon as his paternal grandparents lived in Corvallis. With his first wife, they had two children, James and Joseph, both deceased. Two more children were born, Tim and Dale Ling. In 1966, he met his current wife, Carolyn, and they married in 1967.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1972 and was stationed in Fort Rucker, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Germany, and Panama Canal Zone. After being discharged, they moved to Portland, Ore. After a couple months, he went back to work as a heavy equipment mechanic. Aaron was born in 1973 and Jacob in 1982.

During the children's growing up years, he was very involved in Boy Scouts, soccer and Hunter Safety classes. He enjoyed the outdoors and spent many weekends camping, hunting and fishing and now his sons enjoy these activities with their families. He retired in 2005 and after Carolyn retired in 2013, they moved to Anita, Iowa.

Jim thoroughly enjoyed the slower pace of small town America. He will be missed by all his family in Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado and Oregon.

Jim is survived by his wife, Carolyn; sons, Aaron (Cassie), Jacob (Jeena), Dale (Kristin) Ling, Tim Ling; grandchildren, Bryce, Ellie, Kaitlynn, Rhiannon, Taryn, Brogan, Vicky, Brittany and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Anita Public Library or the Wounded Warrior Project.