James E. Mortimer, age 89, of Huron, and formerly of Hitchcock, passed away Wednesday, May 29, 2019, at the Huron Regional Medical Center. His funeral service was held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, June 4th, at the Hitchcock United Methodist Church. Burial was in the Altoona Cemetery, rural Hitchcock.
Memorials may be directed to the Altoona Cemetery, Hitchcock.
James Edward Mortimer was born November 1, 1929, to L.D. and Leah (Payne) Mortimer, on his family's farm southeast of Hitchcock. They lived on the farm before moving into Hitchcock in 1945, where he attended school. He worked as a veterinary assistant for his father for a few years.
On May 8, 1948, he married Janice Jo Rodman in Huron. In 1960, Jim and his family moved to De Smet for a year. He then accepted the opportunity to own and operate an Enco Service Station in Huron and managed two other Enco Stations, also in Huron. In 1970, Jim and his family moved to Aberdeen, where he was a Blue Cross Blue Shield representative until retiring in 1990. He and Janice then moved back to Hitchcock.
Jim enjoyed cars, music, hunting, fishing, beekeeping, and gardening, but his legacy of faith, hospitality and care-giving were his passions. He believed in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. His work with missions, Siouxland Christian Camp, singing solos and with men's quartets and giving care to those in need was his life-long passion
Jim is survived by his children, Frank J. (Karon) Mortimer of Indianola, IA, Cleo Kay (Doug) Tiede of Hitchcock, SD, Joan Lea (Dave) Pfortmiller of Madison, AL, and Leah Dee (Raymond) Wright of Hitchcock, SD; one son-in-law, Jerry Kallenberger of Mount Vernon, OH; one sister, Annette Kay Olsen of Hitchcock, SD; 12 grandchildren, Joy (Naser) Abu Shanab, Jeffery (Naomi) Kallenberger, Jason (Michelle) Tiede, Chad (Briana) Tiede, Karijo (Brandon Barnes) Tiede, Raeann (Roger) Mulcahy, James D. (Julia) Mortimer, Beth (Nathan) Cooper, Kelli (Skyler) Brandt, Chandra (David) Slade, Danielle Wright and Cody Wright; 18 great-grandchildren, Garrison Mulcahy, Aleah Mulcahy, Judah Cooper, Clara Cooper, Ellee Cooper, Simon Cooper, Alia Abu Shanab, Gabriel Kallenberger, Alec Kallenberger, Ashley Kallenberger, Ethan Mortimer, Evan Mortimer, Rachel Mortimer, Collin Tiede, Dylan Tiede, Hazel Tiede, Alice Tiede and Krystalin Slade; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Janice; one daughter, Janell; one great-grandson, Dean Slade; four brothers, Morris, Vern, Kenneth and infant brother, Alton; and one sister, Irene "Tobin" Stevens.