James L. “Jim” Kendall, age 81, of Dubuque, passed away on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at UnityPoint Health Finley Hospital.  To honor Jim’s life, family and friends may visit from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m., on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at Holy Spirit Parish, Holy Trinity Church, 1701 Rhomberg Avenue.  Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday at Holy Trinity Church with Rev. Steven M. Garner officiating.  Entombment will be in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum.  Behr Funeral Home is assisting Jim’s family.

Jim was born on February 14, 1943, in Darlington, Wisconsin, the son of James and Margaret (Smith) Kendall.

Jim graduated from St. Mary’s Grade School and Dubuque Senior High School.  Following graduation, he honorably served his country with the U.S. Army.  He married Margaret “Marg” Deeny on August 3, 1963.  They happily celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary before she sadly preceded him in death on April 18, 2014.  Jim began his working career with the Dubuque Packing Company from 1964 until 1982.   In 1982, he started Jim Kendall Plastering which he operated for over 33 years until his retirement in 2015. He enjoyed golf and looked forward to attending the Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, IA every year.  Jim and Marg traveled extensively all across the United States.  He loved vacationing with the whole family, but cherished their alone time as a couple.  Jim also enjoyed watching the Chicago Bears and Cubs, as well as a spirited game of cards with family and friends.  He loved his family and was always there for everyone, but his greatest joy was spending time with his granddaughters.  Jim was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Those left to cherish Jim’s memory include

his daughter,
Karla (Michael) Viertel, Dubuque, IA;

2 granddaughters,
Mia (fiancé Daniel Kunkel) Pins and Lillian Viertel;

a son-in-law,
Bill Pins, Dubuque, IA;

and 2 sisters,
Phyllis (Bill) Jaeggi
and Joanne Remakel, both of Dubuque, IA.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Margaret Kendall; a daughter, Karen Pins; a sister, Marie (Wayne) Oliver; and a brother-in-law, Bob Remakel;

Jim’s family would like to thank the wonderful nurses in the ICU at UnityPoint Health Finley Hospital for the kind and compassionate care they provided for Jim.

Memorials in Jim’s memory may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Jim Kendall Family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com ll who knew and loved him.