Header Graphic
Jim Seedorff
June 17, 1938 - February 19, 2021

James (Jim) Robert Seedorff passed away Friday February 19, 2021 at Oelwein Health Care Center at the age of 82.  Memorial services will begin at 10:30 AM on Saturday March 27, 2021 at Zion Lutheran Church in Oelwein.  In the meantime, friends and family are invited to view a photo memorial at https://youtu.be/UnhFCupZNNU .

Due to state and federal guidelines on gatherings regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing is required.  Those in attendance are required to wear a mask.

Jim was born in Arlington on June 17, 1938, to Mary (Wessels) and Lloyd Seedorff.  Jim grew up at Maryville, named after his mother’s gas station and restaurant run by the family at the corner of Highway 3 and 187 between Arlington and Lamont.  He attended school in Lamont, where he participated in band as a tuba player, as well as speech and drama activities, and graduated in 1955.  He attended Wartburg College in Waverly for a year in the mid-1950s until he and the Dean agreed it probably wasn’t a good fit (Jim would never say he was kicked out, rather “invited to not come back”), then headed to Los Angeles, California, with some cousins to take classes in geology and join a motorcycle “club” that sometimes rode with the Hell’s Angels.

Jim later returned to Iowa and for a time owned and managed a cafe in Oelwein before taking over Seedorff Oil Company from his father Lloyd and establishing Hustler Tire Corporation.  He also partnered with his brother Ron for a time at the gas station in Maryville, and owned his own gas stations, including a Skelly station in Strawberry Point that later became one of a couple Jim’s Quik Shop convenience stores in the Strawberry Point, Oelwein and Maynard areas.  He also owned Coralville Transport, a trucking company, for several years.

Always one to seek out fun and exciting things to do, Jim obtained his pilot’s license in the early 1960s and maintained it for decades, at one point co-owning a small plane at the airport in Oelwein which he’d use for vacations and business trips throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico.  Jim owned (and crashed) more than a few Harleys in his day.  He also rode a bull, very briefly, as a challenge during a rodeo in Oelwein in 1960.  He loved subjecting his family to bluegrass and polka music and helped establish the annual Backbone Bluegrass Festival.  In 1978 Jim played in the finals of the Sahara World Championship of Blackjack in Las Vegas, taking 6th place.  Then in 1980, the “towering, bespectacled Seedorff,” as the World Championship of Blackjack bulletin described him, won the Championship and a feature story on ABC Wide World of Sports (a television program from the last century).   He went on to try his hand at the European Blackjack Championship in Monaco but didn’t place.  He and his wife Sandy also owned a small houseboat on the Mississippi River in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, for several years, where he earned the name “Captain Bam Bam.”

He married Lorraine Ward Tripp in 1970.  They had a daughter, Leanne, and later divorced.  He married Sandra (Vanselow) Smith in 1983, and they have spent nearly 40 years together.

Jim was the sort of guy who could travel halfway around the world and run into somebody he knew.  If he didn’t know you, he soon would, and he’d remember your name, where you were from, who your family was, and a myriad of other details most people forget.  And he’d still remember everything decades later.  He even got to know Frank Sinatra while they briefly sat together at a bar in Vegas.  His optimism and gusto for life was never slowed by physical disability, despite suffering from Charcot Marie Tooth Disease, a form of muscular dystrophy, all his life.

He has often expressed his gratitude for the staff of the Oelwein Health Care Center, where he and Sandy have lived for the last several years and he would want to be sure to include his thanks one more time.  We are all grateful for the excellent care and attention they provided, particularly at the end.

Jim is survived by his wife, Sandy, his brother Ronald (Joyce) Seedorff of Arlington, a daughter, Leanne Seedorff of Iowa City, a son, Jon (Gale) Smith of Hazleton, a daughter, Stacy (Bob) Jones of Cedar Rapids, 8 grandchildren:  Aiden Smith, Jen (Adrian Sanks) Reisner of Cedar Rapids, Sadie Smith of Dubuque, Aly (Michael) Prohaska of Dubuque, Shawn (Ashlee) Reisner of Santa Monica, CA, Brandon (Sophie Granger) Divis of Coralville, Tanner (Mckayla Moore) Smith, and Blake Smith of Cedar Rapids.  He was also survived by 5 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and great nieces/nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; many close and dear aunts, uncles, and cousins on both the Seedorff and Wessels sides; and a much-loved Lhasa Apso named Patch.

For someone who enjoyed new people and new experiences, this is the next great adventure.  He’ll know a LOT of people on the other side.

 

Add Comment

Paul on October 20, 2023 at 11:23 PM said:

And Aidan Smith, son of Leanne Seedorff, is sole grandchild for genealogical purposes. Others listed are step grandchildren.
Paul on October 20, 2023 at 10:23 PM said:

For genealogical researchers please note the individuals John and Stacey were stepchildren, NOT children. Only Leanne Seedorff is a child of Jim Seedorff.
Mike S on October 28, 2021 at 5:23 AM said:

A great and vibrant man who is missed very much. Leeanne, you as his only child and your son as his only grandchild have our heartfelt condolences. You both meant the world to him.
Bob Eldridge on March 4, 2021 at 8:06 AM said:

Jim was a great guy with a “can do” attitude. He will be missed by all the people he had met in this life.
Leanne on February 28, 2021 at 2:12 PM said:

Hey Pete it is great to hear from you, thank you my friend.
Pete Wood on February 28, 2021 at 4:01 AM said:

Leanne, I am sorry to hear of your father's passing.. He was a man that accomplished and experienced a lot of things.
I hope those great memories and times with him get you through the rough times... Reflecting on those good times with my parents helped me get through the rough times when they passed away.
Take care
Stacy Jones on February 27, 2021 at 3:57 PM said:

What can I say about Jim? There is so much. For all intents and purposes, he was my dad. Maybe not biologically, but we were bound by something way more...love. He was there for all of the important milestones in my life, good and bad. Prom. Graduation. Marriage. Grandbabies. He was Grandpa to all of my kids. They so loved, respected and adored him. He is one of the most honorable, caring and influential people in my life and I will always love and miss him. I won’t say goodbye, but “until we see you again”. He was definitely one of the good ones. ??
Jen on February 27, 2021 at 2:47 PM said:

I teared up a little from those great pictures of him. I’m gonna miss you grandpa. I remember staying the night and watching the grand Ol opery and some show with polka music while my grandma watched tv in the other room. I remember the house boat when I was little and he never turned me down for a good foot massage. He was the greatest person and a better grandpa to me. I love you ??
Junior &Connie Larson on February 27, 2021 at 5:59 AM said:

We are so very sad to hear of Jim's passing. He was such a Great friend, always there when you needed anything. Jim was so kind and caring to everyone. We had shared many happy and fun times. House boating with Jim and Sandy was awesome. Jim was Loved by many and Truly will be missed.
Leanne on February 26, 2021 at 6:31 AM said:

Thanks Berneice, so good to hear from you, I appreciate it. And you're still part of my family far as I'm concerned.
Berneice Squires on February 25, 2021 at 8:29 PM said:

My condolences, Leanne. Your dad was always good to us when we were part of the family. He helped us out more than once when we needed it.
Leanne on February 25, 2021 at 7:17 AM said:

Thank you everyone (and hi cousin Mary Ann). There seems to be information missing from his obit, I'm trying to find out when it will be posted, but wanted to let visitors know there should be more coming.
Karen Connell on February 25, 2021 at 5:34 AM said:

Jim was a very special guy, may he rest in peace, and now soar with the angels in heaven. Many years ago he asked if I would like to go for an airplane ride one Sunday afternoon, which was my very first experience with airplanes. What a joy!! I later continued to receive my pilots license and involved with the Independence Municipal Airport (James H. Connell Field) for over 20 years. Thank you Jim for your friendship and kindness. You and Jimmy will be sharing flying stories in heaven for days to come.God Bless you,
Karen Connell
Nancy & Lyle Miller on February 25, 2021 at 5:33 AM said:

Sincere condolences. good, fun guy-wish I had his brain! May God bless & he rest in peace
Mary Anne on February 24, 2021 at 6:52 PM said:

I'm at a loss for words. I am glad that I was able to visit Jim and Sandy at the care home, before Covid hit all of us. We were able to recall some good old times, when his mom and dad ran the Maryville station - and he ran Jim's Kwik Shop. I am sending my deepest sympathy to Sandy, LeeAnn, and all the family, at this time of loss and grief. He will be missed by all of us. Thank God - he won't need that wheelchair any more!

Your cousin,
Mary Anne Knight

Add Comment

Geilenfeld-Buehner Funeral Home

309 1st Avenue NE  |  Oelwein, IA  50662  |  Phone:  319.283.4653

We welcome your comments and feedback about our website!
 Click here to send us your comments

 

© 2009- Geilenfeld-Buehner Funeral Home.   Site designed and hosted by Web Design by Duhrkopf