James Jewett

February 20, 1934 - November 30, 2020

James Jewett Grand Junction, IA Date of Death: November 30, 2020 Private graveside services for Jim Jewett will be held in June at the Junction Twp. Cemetery, Grand Junction, Iowa. Pastor Wendy Pittman will officiate. James “Jim” Jewett, 86, of Grand Junction passed peacefully on Nov. 30, 2020 at Regency Park of Jefferson due to lung cancer. Jim was born on February 20, 1934, at Boone County Hospital to Myron and Belva (Holz) Jewett. He grew up in Grand Junction and graduated from Grand Junction High School. He attended Iowa State University before being drafted into the Navy. Jim met his future wife, LaVaras, when her sister, Lynnette, married Jim’s uncle, Robert Holz. Jim and LaVaras were married March 31, 1957, in Bronson, IA when Jim was home on leave. The couple later returned to the family farm in Grand Junction where they remained and farmed until his retirement. In addition, Jim spent over 20 years selling seed corn for Garst Seed Company. As a member of the Grand Junction Presbyterian Church, Jim served as an elder and trustee, taught Sunday school and was a member of the choir. He had a beautiful tenor voice and sang for many weddings and funerals in the community. Jim volunteered with the Grand Junction fire department for 17 years. He organized the men to take EMT training and helped design the first rescue/ambulance unit that was used by the department. Jim was a Boy Scout leader and enjoyed fishing, hunting pheasant and ducks, and spending time at the family cabin at Pelican Lake in Minnesota. He had a great sense of humor and will be remembered for his vast repertoire of jokes. Memorials may be sent to Grand Junction Fire and Rescue. Jim is survived by his wife, LaVaras; son, Jeffrey (Barb) Jewett of Mahomet, IL; daughter, Jame (Jerry) Rehak of Williston, ND; grandchildren, Jessica (Jordan) Reed of Eau Claire, WI, Jason Jewett of Mahomet, IL, Justin Rehak of Plymouth, MN, Kaitlyn Rehak of Grand Forks, ND, and Parker Rehak of Williston, ND; great grandchildren, Anessa and Emma Reed of Eau Claire, WI; four sisters: Janice (Purl) Partello of Spirit Lake, IA; Mary Beth Flook of Ogden, UT; Belva Ann (Don) Burig of Tucson, AZ; and Trena Allen of Phoenix, AZ; as well of many other relatives and friends. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Frank and Ottolene Downs; sister-in-law, Lynnette Holz; brothers-in-law, G. Lloyd Flook and Larry Allen; and niece Roberta Bidgood. Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, Jefferson