James Edward Seeley

James E. Seeley

James “Jim” Seeley, age 77, of Storm Lake, Iowa, died Monday, May 14, 2007 at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake.

Funeral Services for Mr. Seeley will be held Friday, May 18, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be at 3:30 p.m. in Sacred Heart Catholic Church Cemetery in Yankton, South Dakota, with full military rites. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

Friends may call anytime after 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 17, 2007 at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake, where the family will be present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Legion of Mary Rosary will be recited at 3:30 and a parish vigil service will be conducted at 7:00 all at the funeral home.

James Edward Seeley was born August 24, 1929 to Bert and Margaret (Murphy) Seeley in Yankton, South Dakota. He was baptized in the Catholic faith as an infant in 1929 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yankton, and confirmed his faith as a youth in 1941 at the same church. He attended Sacred Heart grade school in Yankton before graduating from Yankton High School in 1947. He continued his education at the University of South Dakota, graduating in1955 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

Jim was a patriot and proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He entered service September 1, 1950 and was honorably discharged May 23, 1952 at the rank of Sergeant First Class.

On September 14, 1953, Jim and Rita Elaine Slowey were united in holy matrimony in Yankton. The couple was blessed with three children: Todd, Teresa and Julie.

Jim was an independent businessman in Austin, Minnesota and Storm Lake, Iowa. He was active in his community, serving as President of the Austin and Storm Lake Chambers of Commerce, as president of the Storm Lake Kiwanis, and as a board member of the Austin Northwestern Bank. He was a lifelong, faithful member of the Catholic Church and was currently a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake, where he also served as a Eucharistic Minister. Jim was a fan of all kinds of sports, especially golf, and he enjoyed big band music.

Jim will be remembered as a devoted husband and father who loved to spend time with his family. In his later years, his grandchildren brought him great joy. He will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved him.

Left to cherish Jim’s memory are his wife of 53 years, Rita Seeley of Storm Lake; his children: Todd (Laurie) Seeley of Plymouth, Minnesota; Teresa (Stuart) Brady of Richmond, Texas; and Julie (John) Henry of Minnetonka, Minnesota; grandchildren: Patrick (Kathleen) Seeley of Temecula, California; Lynn Seeley of Hugo, Minnesota; Kevin Seeley of Plymouth, Minnesota; Jonathan Henry of Minnetonka, Minnesota and Kyle Brady of Richmond, Texas; his brother, Gene (Helen) Seeley of Sun City, Arizona; extended family and many friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Bert and Margaret Seeley; his brother, Robert; and his sisters, Lucille and Ruth.

Published online by The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home