Cover photo for James Priske's Obituary
James Priske Profile Photo
1939 James 2020

James Priske

August 30, 1939 — January 10, 2020

Eldora

James D. Priske, 80, of Eldora, Iowa, passed away on Friday, January 10, 2020 at the Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, Iowa. Memorial visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at the Abels Funeral and Cremation Service, Creps Chapel in Eldora. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Eldora. Inurnment will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Eldora with military honors conducted by the Eldora American Legion - Walter-Sayer Post # 182 and V.F.W. - Roll-Harless #3974. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Jim was born on August 30, 1939, in Eldora, Iowa, to his parents Francis and Anna (Studer) Priske. He graduated from Hubbard High School in the class of 1957. Shortly after graduation Jim enlisted in the United States Army. He served his country from 1958 until 1960 in various locations including overseas in Lebanon. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, Jim returned to Eldora and was united in marriage to Karen Saylor on July 15, 1961 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Eldora.

After their wedding, Jim and Karen began their life together in Eldora, where they welcomed their first child, Lori, into their family. Jim then began his career with AT&T, which took the family to El Paso, Texas. There they lived for five years and were blessed with a second daughter, Julie. Jim was then sent to the Marshall Islands for a year and a half. During that time his family moved back to Eldora, where their son David was born. Jim then returned home, and the family moved again, due to his career, to Massachusetts, where they welcomed another girl, Susan, into their growing family. The family was only in Massachusetts for a short time, but not as short as the family’s next stop which was New Jersey. They stayed in the Garden State for only three months until they relocated again to Cavalier, North Dakota, where they spent three years and had their youngest daughter Amy. Jim then took an overseas position in Saudi Arabia for two years and his family, once again, moved back to Eldora. In 1979, the whole family moved for the final time to Denver, Colorado. There Jim continued to work for AT&T and retired in October of 1990. Upon his retirement, and with most of his children grown and moved out on their own; Jim, Karen, and Amy moved for the final time back to Eldora. There Jim and Karen remained and enjoyed their retirement years together.

Jim was a long-time member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Eldora, Iowa. He loved to golf, fish, and woodwork. He enjoyed tinkering in his garage and refurbishing old cars. He was an avid card player and loved watching NASCAR and the Dallas Cowboys. However, his true joy in life came from spending time with his family, especially his children and grandchildren.

Jim is survived by his wife of 58 years, Karen Priske of Eldora, IA; his children Lori (Paul) Kohart of Eldora, IA, Julie (Bryan) Stickney of Council Bluffs, IA, David (Amy) Priske of Fruita, Colorado, Susan (Drew) Brandt of Ackley, IA, and Amy (Jonathan) Hoekstra of Owasso, OK; 13 grandchildren; 1 great-granddaughter; sister Norma Boyken of Waterloo, IA; sisters-in-law Rita Pagel and Donna Allbee both of Eldora, IA; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Bob and Bill; and his sisters Marge and Julie.

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Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

5:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)

Abels Funeral & Cremation Service-Creps Chapel

905 Edgington Ave, Eldora, IA 50627

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Mass of Christian Burial

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Starts at 10:30 am (Central time)

St. Mary's Catholic Church

614 Washington St, Eldora, IA 50627

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