March 29, 2024

Jim Stalder

Greenfield

Jim Stalder, 91, of Greenfield, passed away Thursday, May 25, 2023, at his home. Funeral services were held 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 30, at the Greenfield United Methodist Church. Private family burial will be in the Greenfield Cemetery at a later date. The Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield is in charge of the professional arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in Jim’s name at a later date. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

Jim Stalder was born June 15, 1931, in rural Adams County, Iowa and was baptized in the Mount Zion Presbyterian Church. Jim was raised by his grandparents and spent time with his aunts and uncles during his childhood. He attended rural school in Adams County and then went to school in Nodaway.

Jim spent his life in service to others. He owned a locker plant in Massena, a bar in Griswold, worked in the grocery industry eventually owning Foodland on the square in Greenfield with Bonnie, and he and Bonnie owned Bon’s Bakehouse where he hosted lively 5 a.m. coffee conversations and cooked the best pit ham you will ever have.

Jim was a volunteer firefighter for 60 years in Nodaway, Massena and Greenfield. Even though he retired from fighting fires in 2014, Jim and Bonnie fixed Thanksgiving dinner for the firemen every year and he cut the steaks for the annual steak fry. He worked at the Iowa Aviation Museum and enjoyed meeting and visiting with the guests who stopped by. Perhaps what he enjoyed most since retiring in 2009, was making wine in the basement to share with family and friends.

Jim didn’t know a stranger and cherished his friendships throughout his life. If you were a friend of Jim’s, you were blessed. Time with family is what Jim looked forward to. Any time he could spend with his grandkids and great-grandkids were the best time to him. He and Bonnie planted flowers in the yard and enjoyed watching the birds, squirrels and other animals that roamed into the back yard. He was the delivery service for the “elderly” people in town when they ordered food and baked goods from Bonnie. Jim dispensed wisdom at Friday night “family council meetings” and shared the best jokes with family and friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his grandparents Oscar and Rose; several aunts and uncles, his brother Harold, and by his kids, Gloria and Dave.

He is survived by his wife of almost 55 years Bonnie; his kids Cliff and Jenny (Jeff); grandkids: Nathan (Laura), Becca (Shane), Nikki (Tim), Briana, Jenna (Carter), Kayla (Chase) and Travis; great-grandkids: Jarod, Comet, Charlotte, Jaden, Toben, Avery, Ella and Murphy; TJ Venteicher; extended Stalder family members; extended Jameson family members, and so many people who were fortunate enough to call him a friend.