James “Jim” Engle, age 79 of Early, IA, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 20, 2024, at Methodist Manor in Storm Lake, IA. James Lee Engle was born on September 11, 1944, to parents Charles and Ethel (Hanson) Engle in Storm Lake, IA. He grew up in Albert City, IA, and graduated from Albert City-Truesdale High School with the class of 1964. Jim was baptized on March 30, 1945, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Newell, IA, and later confirmed at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Albert City. He was a member of the Early United Methodist Church.
Following his high school graduation, Jim attended barber school and became a licensed barber. He then joined the United States Navy and was inducted on September 15, 1966. Jim was the ship’s serviceman barber and served during the Vietnam war. He was honorably discharged on July 24, 1968.
On August 29, 1970, Jim was united in marriage to Marlys Jean Marsh at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Mapleton, IA. This union was blessed with a son, Nicolas James. They purchased and renovated a farmhouse just outside of Early, which has been their home for the past forty-eight years. Jim barbered in Early for many years before becoming an independent insurance agent. He retired in 2018 and remained at home on the acreage until his health started to decline in 2022 at which time he moved to Methodist Manor in Storm Lake.
Together, Jim and Marlys enjoyed dancing and frequented the area dance halls back in the day. The two of them also enjoyed golfing together. During Jim and Marlys’s engagement, Marlys was fortunate to win a trip around the world which was the perfect honeymoon adventure. This trip took them around the world traveling from the U.S. to cities like Hong Kong, Bangkok, Athens, Rome, and London within a matter of a few weeks. It was of course a very memorable trip. The couple enjoyed spending part of the winter in Texas for eleven years.
Jim loved the outdoors: fishing, golfing, hunting, gardening…anything that involved being outside. He loved his family and adored spending time with his granddaughters. He enjoyed taking his granddaughters camping and fishing. Many fun times were had and better yet, memories made. Jim enjoyed watching collegiate sports and coaching from his chair. Jim was a very involved and a loyal member of the American Legion and JayCees in Early.
He was an amazing husband, dad, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend who will be dearly missed by his family and all who knew and loved him.
Survivors include his wife, Marlys Engle of Early, IA; son Nicolas (Stephenie) Engle of Lawton, IA; granddaughters Katelyn and Madison Engle; sisters Lois Nelson of Creston, IA, Joan (Steve) Amos of Carter Lake, IA, and Linda Thate of Dunnell, MN; brother-in-law Gregg (Kathy) Marsh of Mapleton, IA; sister-in-law Durene Marsh of Mapleton, IA; many nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Ethel Engle; infant brother Gordon Lee Engle; parents-in-law Floyd and Alberta Marsh; brothers-in-law Dean Thate, Dennis Nelson, and Glenn Marsh.
