James Stauffer

James A. Stauffer, 81, of Hackensack, MN, died unexpectedly on October 2, 2013, at his home on Stony Lake. He was born February 7, 1932, in Iowa City, IA, to Viola Pohlman, an unwed mother of 14 years of age from Fort Dodge, IA. His father was never located. Jim lived in several foster homes until he was adopted in 1936 by his loving parents, Leslie and Nellie Stauffer of Hampton, IA.

Jim attended school in Hampton, IA, graduating from Hampton High in 1950. He was active in sports and held many different jobs during this period of attending Iowa State Teacher College from 1950 to 1952 and working full time at Rath Packing Company in Waterloo, IA. In September 1952, Jim was inducted into the Army serving with the 101st Airborne until he was discharged in 1954. While he was in the service he met and married Rebecca Brandon, a registered nurse from Owensboro, KY. After discharge, they returned to Iowa where he attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City and earned a bachelor's degree in 1957. Upon graduation he joined the Quaker Oats Company and a management trainee in St. Joseph, MO. He remained with Quaker Oats serving in management positions in Sherman, TX, and Los Angeles, CA. Jim remained with them for 12 years and left to accept a plant management position in Cedar Rapids, IA, and later moved to Kankakee, IL and Mt. Vernon, IN, with other companies. He accepted and overseas position in 1974 where they lived in Jamaica for several years and later in Puerto Rico. In 1984 they returned to the U.S. with plant management and engineering positions in Peoria, IL, Dallas, TX, and Kansas City, MO. Upon retirement in 1993, they moved to Hackensack where they had built a summer home in 1976 and where Jim's father had purchased land on Stony Lake in 1934. A year-round home was completed in 1994 and they have lived there ever since.

Jim was very active in the Country Side Coop, serving as director and president for many years as well as the American Legion, where he served as Chaplain for 10 years. Jim was also active in the Union Congregational Church in Hackensack, serving as a deacon and trustee.

He is survived by his loving wife of almost 60 years, Rebecca, of Hackensack; two sons: David (Linda) Stauffer of Huntsville, AL, Paul Stauffer of Madison, WI; daughter, Gail Schwartz of Spartanburg, SC; 7 grandchildren: Christopher and Benjamin Stauffer of Midland, TX, Katie, Matt and Mike Stauffer of Winona, MN, Jimmy and Andy Schwartz of Spartanburg, SC; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his birth mother.

Services will be 2 PM on Monday, Oct. 7, at Union Congregational Church, Hackensack. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Arrangements are with Kline Funeral Home, Pine River.