James "Jim" Wengert
October 13, 2011
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Service Details
James “Jim” John Wengert, 77, died Thursday, October 13, 2011 at his home after struggling with chronic leukemia and lung disease. Jim was born March 23, 1934 to Donald and Margaret Wengert in Sioux City, Iowa and graduated from Central High School in Sioux City.
Jim, a leader of the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO for 33 years, retired at the end of the 1997 convention. A packinghouse worker from Sioux City, he was first elected to the Federation Executive Council in 1964, representing the United Packinghouse Workers. Jim was elected and served in the Iowa House of Representatives from 1965-1966. In 1966, he was elected Secretary-Treasurer, and in 1979, President of the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO.
Jim was a man of great courage and conviction, a champion for many throughout his career. He was also known to hunt, fish, and handicap the ponies!
Jim is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joanne Wengert; children, Kathy (Bob) Schwartz, Patty (Guy) Wengert-Cunningham, Jim Wengert Jr., Mary Jo (Bob) Sirek, Susie (Tim) McConnell, Kim (Jeff) Grubb, and Jean (Trent) Carlson; grandchildren, Chris, Michael, and Nicole Schwartz, Michelle (Paul) Cauduro, Joseph (Andrea) Blunck, Connor and Nickolas Cunningham, Dylan and Morgan Purdy, Hannah Sirek, Breten (Kelly) Williams, Wyatt Grubb, and Austin and Madison Carlson; great-grandchildren, Evan, Aubrey, Makayla, Drew, and Jackson; sisters-in-law, Sheila Wengert and Delores Macklem; brother-in-law, Jerry (Louise) Wehde; and many nieces, nephews, and beloved friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, William Wengert.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at St. Mary of Nazareth Catholic Church, 4600 Meredith Drive, with burial to follow at Glendale Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the church with a rosary at 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the American Lung Association of Iowa for research.
Online condolences may be expressed at
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
John Wengert
05/26/2014
Very sorry to learn about Jim ,I'm a first cousin.,We were close as kids,
but not as adults.,I was always impressed with his politics as we are democrats and support union activities.I wish we had been closer!
Linda Santi
10/19/2011
To Joanne, Patty, and family (including Jim's brothers and sisters in the labor movement),
Please know I am thinking of you all as this wonderful warrior for people goes on to his very just rewards. What a legacy he leaves for us all.
Thornton Wilder talks about those who have left us and the memories they leave:
"All that we can know about those we have loved and lost is that they would wish us to remember them with a more intensified realization of their own reality. What is essential does not die but clarifies. The highest tribute we can give the dead is not grief but gratitude."
I hope that your memories of Jim help provide comfort as you move forward.
In Solidarity,
Linda Santi
Mike Tramontina
10/19/2011
My condolances to Joanne and the family. Jim was all too rare of a man. Starting out as a meat cutter in a Sioux City packing plant was hard work. Rising to be a leader in the union is a feat of extraordiary leadership. The union was large and the members not a shy and retiring bunch and they elected him to be their spokesman. Getting elected to the Legislature from Woodbury County at that time was a remarkable accomplishment. As a leader of the IFL he excelled. He was smart and extraordinarily articulate even by the measure of American labor leaders. Iowans, not just union members, are better off, because of him. He's an inspiration to me and a role model for all Americans.
Tom Parkins
10/18/2011
Joanne and Family,
Please accept our deepest sympathy. Jim was a terrific leader, example, and help to my generation of Iowa labor and political activists. He was outspoken when to be outspoken was called for, but to his core he was humble and understanding.
Jim personally opened doors of opportunity for me and many others. He joins Bill, Tony, and Dad (Dale), as a part of Iowa's greatest generation of labor leaders, who gave so much to working Iowans. Thank you for supporting him in his giving to others.
Peace be with you,
Tom Parkins
Judy Parkins
Shirley Parkins
and the rest of our family
Carol Huntsman
10/17/2011
Joanne & family
So sorry to hear about Jim. He was such a nice guy, and a special friend to Wayne. My prayers go out to all of you.
My deepest sympathy
Carol
Diane Shortell McClung
10/17/2011
I am so sorry for your loss. I worked at the AFL-CIO many years ago, almost 40 years, and Jim was my immediate supervisor. I enjoyed working for and with Jim, he was a great guy. You all are in my prayers, Rest In Peace Jim.
Kim Wengert Grubb
10/17/2011
I love you and will miss you! See you on the other side.
Mark & Connie Lane
10/16/2011
Dear Wengert Family,
We are saddened for your loss. Was glad to have had the privilage to have meet Jim. Remember our dinners we had with Jim and his family as well as the night we went to the Funny Bone Comedy Club. Our condolences to the Wengert Family. You are in our thoughts and Prayers. May God Bless Jim's Soul and the Wengert Family.
Mark and Connie Lane
Paula Pifer
10/15/2011
Sorry to hear of your loss. Thinking of you.