Visitation for James “Jim” Schoning will be held from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, June 19, 2025 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Graettinger, Iowa. Services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, June 20, at the same location.
Inurnment is at Lost Island Lutheran Cemetery in Ruthven, Iowa.
James P. “Jim” Schoning, son of James R. and JoAnn (Paulsen) Schoning, was born on August 19, 1959 in South Gate, California. He was baptized at St. Lukes Lutheran Church in Huntington Park, California. The family moved to Iowa where Jim was confirmed and became a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Graettinger, Iowa.
Jim began his education at the Graettinger Community School and graduated from Ruthven Consolidated School. Following graduation, Jim continued his education at Iowa Lakes Community College and received his Bachelor's Degree from Minnesota State University.
Jim moved to Omaha, Nebraska where he was employed at ASHA Distributing. While living in Omaha, Jim played in many softball and volleyball leagues. He later returned to Ruthven where he joined the family business, working and managing Lakeland. Jim didn’t know a stranger and enjoyed visiting with all of the customers, whether they were locals or people just passing through the area.
Jim was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching all types of sporting events. He was an Iowa Hawkeye fan and attended many football games and wrestling meets in Iowa City. Jim was also a Wayne State fan and enjoyed having the opportunity to attend their football games as well.
Jim spent his summers at the lake and looked forward to his friends and family stopping in to visit. He played in many leagues throughout the years, including pool, darts and bowling. He enjoyed snowmobiling and hunting, going to the races and playing golf in the annual WS Tournament. Jim was always ready for a game of Euchre and playing in card tournaments was a favorite for him. Jim was a regular at the Wellness Center which gave him the opportunity to make some good friends there.
Being with friends and family was of utmost importance to Jim. He cherished the time he spent with his parents, his sister, and his extended family and they were grateful to have him as a son and brother. He was a good friend to all who knew him, and Jim maintained his life long friendships that began in childhood and throughout his school years. Jim was blessed to have each of you in his life and was grateful to all who supported him and his family in his time of need.
Jim passed away Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at the Spencer Hospital, at the age of 65. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Jorgen and Elva (Halvorson) Paulsen and his paternal grandparents, Ernest and Gladys (Beherendson) Schoning.
He is survived by his parents, Jim and JoAnn Schoning; his sister, Julie Schoning; aunts and uncle, Helen Westfall, Karon Schoning and Bob and Linda Miller; as well as many other relatives and close friends.
Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
martinmatticefuneralhome.com
