Obituary of James William Bell

James William Bell, 90, of Dyersville, Iowa died at 10:40am Saturday, June 25th at home surrounded by his family. Services will be held at St. Francis Xavier Basilica Tuesday June 28th at 10:30am followed by burial in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery. Rev. Robert Gross will officiate. Friends may call from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. Monday, June 27, 2011, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where a parish scripture service will be held at 4:00 p.m. K of C #1734 will provide Fourth Degree Knight Honors and a 6:30 p.m. Rosary. James William Bell was born on the 4th of May 1921, on the home farm, the 2nd child of Clarence and Olive (Schnier) Bell. He attended a country school southwest of Dyersville and worked on the family farm until January 26th, 1944 when he married his dancing sweetheart, Helen Frericks of Dyersville at the St. Francis Xavier Basilica. Together they farmed southwest of Dyersville for 40 years and were blessed with six children. Upon retiring from farming in 1981, they moved to Dyersville and Jim worked for Kramer Funeral Home for 20 years. In 2004, they moved to Ellen Kennedy Living Center. Those left to cherish his memories are his wife of 67 years, Helen; his children, David (Patti) Bell of Dyersville, Bob (Joyce) Bell of Dubuque, Janet Bell of Glastonbury, CT, Joyce Rooney of Annapolis, MD, Jane (Dick) Schmitz of Pittsburgh, PA, Ken (Michelle) Bell of Dyersville; his twelve grandchildren, Amy (Pat) Calvert of Urbandale, IA, Carmen Bell of Chandler, AZ, Molly Bell of Chandler, AZ, Emily (Paul) Scranton of Bettendorf, IA, Sean (Alyson) Rooney of Houston, TX, Heather (Mike) Gaven of Hurst, TX, Matt Rooney of Dallas,TX, Betsy (Mike) McCarren, Sarah (Dustin) Smith, and Rachael Schmitz all of Pittsburgh, PA, Brandon (Nikki) Bell of Hopkinton, Lisa Bell of Dyersville; Step grandchildren Gretchen (Rick)Schwerdtfeger, Shanghi, China and Valerie (Brian) Ciotti, Columbus, OH; 13 great grandchildren and 7 step great grandchildren. Also surviving are one brother, Tom (Jeanette) Bell of Dyersville, two sisters, Edith Kedley of Dubuque, and Kay (Vern) Gansemer of Sussex, WI, sisters-in-law Marian Bell and Arlene Bell, both of Dyersville and Betty Bell of East Dubuque, IL, brothers-in-law Don (Laura) Willenbring of Farley, Roy (Ruth) Frericks, sisters-in-law, Rosemary Frericks and Velma Frericks, both of Dyersville. Jim loved to dance with Helen, take her on vacations, bowl and fish. Family was very important to Jim. He was a master card player and always had a deck of cards ready to entertain. Jim and Helen enjoyed their card clubs and socializing with friends. During card games with his grandchildren Grandpa, "the scorekeeper", always seemed to come out the winner! He was also well known as the family historian, storyteller, and the best crocheter and cross stitcher around. He always had several projects in progress sitting next to his recliner, right up to his passing. He loved to read and watch his favorite TV shows - Lawrence Welk, soap operas, the Wheel of Fortune and cooking shows. Jim was a man of strong faith. He was a lifetime member and lay minister of St. Francis Xavier Basilica. He was a lifetime member and 4th degree Knight of Columbus. He served as clerk for North Fork Township, was a Farm Bureau and Delaware County Pork Producer member serving as president for two years. He was preceded in death, by his parents, Clarence and Olive Bell, brothers John, Herbert, and Louis Bell, one sister Rose Mary Willenbring, his parents-in-law, Edward and Margaret Frericks, three brothers-in-law Lavern and Elmer Frericks and Orland Kedley, sisters-in-law Rose Mary Konzen, and Vernita Frericks. The Family would like to thank the caring staff at Ellen Kennedy Living Center and Hospice of Dubuque for their excellent care. Special thanks to Dr. O. Khatib, Jim's doctor and friend for many years. In lieu of flowers and gifts, Jim requested memorials be made to St. Francis Xavier Grade School or Ellen Kennedy Living Center. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.