James Cutsforth

James H. (Jim) Cutsforth, Jr., age 76, passed away Friday, September 1, 2023 at the Ottumwa Regional Hospital due to complications of a recent stroke. He was born to James H., Sr. and Margaret (Hruska) Cutsforth on June 26, 1947 at Smith Memorial Hospital in Decorah, Iowa. Jim was baptized at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar, Iowa, and attended St. Aloysius Catholic School where he made many long time friends. He graduated from South Winneshiek Community School in 1965, where he also made many long time friends. Being from a small town and school he played football, basketball, and baseball.

After graduation, he was employed by Bucheit Produce when a letter came in the mail from Uncle Sam saying, "you are now drafted". Jim proudly served his country from October , 1966 to October , 1968. From April, 1967 to April, 1968, Jim was stationed in Quinhon South Vietnam as a Chaplain's Assistant, helping with seven masses every Sunday. Jim suffered injuries during the Test Offensive in January, 1968, which awarded him the Purple Heart.

Upon discharge from the Army, and acclimating to civilian life again, Jim enrolled at Area One Community College in Calmar in Accounting. Upon graduation, Jim was employed by Thorp Finance in Oelwien, Iowa as a loan officer. On April 3, 1970, Jim married his life-long partner Phyllis Sarah Sharp.

Through Thorp Finance, Jim was transferred to Austin, Fairfield, and Crookston, Minnesota, where he was Manager. Jim left Thorp and was hired by Moorhead State Bank, Moorehead, MN as a loan officer. Jim then went to Benson, MN, as a loan officer for First State Bank. Mark Roth, of Roth Chevrolet Mazda, Willmar, MN, sought Jim out to start their Finance & Insurance. After seven years, and wanting to return to Iowa to be closer to family, Jim took the position of Finance and Insurance Officer with Glover Ford in Ottumwa (later known as Ottumwa Ford-Lincoln-Mercury). Wanting to get out of the financing end of the car business, he took a position as salesman with Vaughn Automotive and was named Salesman of the Year.

Deciding to make a clean break from the car business, Jim took a maintenance position with Cargill Meat Solutions (now JBS), running oil samples and conducting the Safety Program for employees and contractors.

Since retiring from Cargill, Jim has managed the Knights of Columbus Hall, working bingo for over 30 years, served as Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus McMullen Assembly, volunteered with Milestones Senior Meal Program, board member for the Ottumwa Community Thanksgiving Dinner, and Coordinator for the Knights of Columbus/Seton Catholic School Blood Drive through Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center. Jim was a member of the Ottumwa VFW Post, American Legion Post, Disabled American Veterans Post and Viet Nam Veterans Organization, as well as 3rd and 4th Degree Honorary Life Member of the Knights of Columbus.

Jim was also Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 11 here in Ottumwa and very proud that two of his sons earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He enjoyed camping and fishing with his three sons at Camp Wapello. Jim was an active member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church as Lector and Eucharistic Minister.

Surviving are his wife, Phyllis of Ottumwa; three sons, Brian (Keitha) Cutsforth of Ottumwa, Patrick (Shannon) of North Liberty, IA, and Sean Cutsforth of Ottumwa; three grandchildren, Emily (Justin) Rader of Ottumwa, Thomas Cutsforth of Davenport, IA, and Alison Cutsforth of Ottumwa; one brother, Terry (Bonnie) Cutsforth of Fredericksberg, IA; sister, Sheila (Dennis) Koepp of Decorah, IA, and a sister, Sandy Lechtenberg of Stewartville, MN; sisters-in-law, LaVonne Sharp of Decorah, IA, and Caryl Sharp of Spring Valley, MN; brother-in-law John (JoAnn) Sharp of Decorah, IA and nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Marge; mother and father-in-law, Lloyd and Hazel Sharp, brothers-in-law, Lyle Lechtenberg and Merlin Sharp, and great niece, Kellie Ann Sharp.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Ottumwa. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Ottumwa with military rites conducted by Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars and O.B. Nelson Post #3 American Legion. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, opening to the public at 11:00 a.m., with Jim's family present to greet friends from 5-7 p.m., at Sinnott Funeral Home in Ottumwa. Memorials may be directed to St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Ottumwa, Vietnam Veterans Organization, or Hospice of Davis and Wapello County. Online condolences may be left for the family at sinnottfuneralhome.com or the Sinnott Funeral Home Facebook page.