James “Jim” Urwiler

LAUREL — James “Jim” Urwiler, 82, Laurel, died Feb. 2, 2018, at Providence Medical Center, Wayne. Visitation and a Prayer service were Tuesday at United Methodist Church, Laurel. A Christian Service will be 10:30 a.m., Feb. 7, at United Methodist Church, Laurel, with Rev. Dave York officiating. Pallbearers will be Jim’s grandchildren, Michael (Angie) Urwiler, Samantha (John) Kneifl, Katie Urwiler (Nick Hanika), Tiffany (Dan) Berger and Brian Urwiler. Interment will be in the Laurel Cemetery. James LeRoy “Jim” Urwiler was born March 19, 1935, in Sioux City, Iowa, to James and Vera (Thompson) Urwiler. He graduated from Laurel High School and attended Wayne State College, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northeast Tech. Jim married Mary Ann Christensen Nov. 16, 1957, at the Community Methodist Church, Salix, Iowa. The couple farmed near Laurel all of their married life, raising cattle, sheep, hogs, and a cow-calf herd. Jim was an active member of United Methodist Church serving in various capacities. He loved his family, farming, square dancing, and “yellow rocks.” Jim is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; their sons, Tim (Lois) Urwiler, Laurel, and Tom (Debbie) Urwiler, Lake of the Ozarks, Mo.; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister, Phyllis Campbell, Laurel; brothers-in-law, Ralph Milliken, Laurel; Ron Christensen, Salix, Iowa; and Frank (Karen) Christensen, Lake of the Ozarks, Mo.; nieces, nephews, and cousins. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; sister, LaVera Milliken; brother, Harley (Laverne) Urwiler; brother-in-law, James Campbell; niece, Colleen Knudsen; and a great-niece, Katie Anne Knudsen. Memorials may be directed to the Urwiler Family for later designation.