James Andrew Hellrung

On February 16, 2021, the Man, the Myth, the Legend, James Andrew Hellrung, conquered this life and ascended to the greatest of all levels, heaven.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 27, 2021, at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, with visitation held from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.

Jim came into this world October 2, 1941 to his proud parents Andrew and Dorothy (née Rohm) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He attended Bay View High School, class of 1960 and graduated from University of Phoenix with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance.

On July 25, 1964 he married the love of his life, Carol (née Ebben) and they have shared 59 beautiful years. Together they had three amazing children, Jackie, Jimmy and Danny, that would forever more bring love and fun times into his life. His children were his love, joy and proudest accomplishments in life, family meant everything to him.

In 1978, Jim took a job with Greyhound Corporation and together the family set off on a new adventure to Phoenix, Arizona. Jim’s work as an Assistant Corporate Controller and Director of Corporate Foreign Operations allowed him to travel the world for both work and pleasure. Jim excelled at his job as he was both resourceful and enthusiastic. He had an ease with people, quick wit and strong sense of humor. People were drawn to Jim as he was authentic and made a person feel comfortable with his genuine, compassionate and kindhearted style of communication.

Jim and the family set out for yet another adventure in 1985 when Greyhound financial operations moved to Des Moines, Iowa. As a financial analyst, Jim was at home doing what he loved. His most satisfying work was using his strong analytical skills to solve complex financial problems. Jim retired with Ruan Corporation as a System Financial Analyst in 2010.

In retirement, Jim and Carol enjoyed volunteering at the Ronald McDonald house, Iowa Food Pantry and assisting in the influenza vaccine administration through the Polk County Health Department. Jim believed in giving back, he supported the Native American Indians and Animal Rescue League through donations for many years.

Following in the footsteps of his father, Jim was accepted into the Freemasons fraternal order. He fulfilled this journey which began in childhood as a DeMolay. Jim found the fraternity deeply fulfilling and was proud to be part of an organization of likeminded men. Jim was a Mason at the Masonic King David Lodge 407; who raised his son Jimmy in the Masonic lodge and knighted him using his father’s sword in the York Rites.

Above all else, family was most important to Jim. Providing family safety, security and unconditional love was at the core of his heart. His humor allowed for a well-placed joke at a time when levity was needed as easily as when it wasn’t. Jim was not only an incredible son, husband, and father, but a grandfather too. His kind and gentle way, yet strong moral convictions provided guidance as the patriarch of the family.

There were only a few things he loved more than life itself, Carol, his family, whoppers candy, chocolate chip cookies and Mariah Carey *wink*wink*. He was a lover of all animals big and small. One of his favorite pastimes was sitting on the deck with Carol, watching the wild life in their backyard. Always feeding the squirrels, birds, deer, and rabbits. He was inseparable from his rescue cat Teddy Bear that was always by his side. Jim was also always up to date on the latest news and celebrity gossip, he loved talking to his granddaughter Ashley about who was dating who. At family gatherings, holidays and birthdays, you could often find Jim sneaking up to the fridge where he would steal a mouth full of whipping cream, straight from the can. He loved his German New Year’s Eve tradition of eating herring and making sure he called all his kids to remind them to go get their herring. Even though we all thought it was gross and would poke fun at him for it.

He loved to travel the world and did so for many years when he worked for Greyhound, often times taking his wife on his adventures abroad. In retirement, he and Carol traveled to visit the foreign exchange students that lived with them in the 1970’s and who have remained in their lives since, with their last trip to France and Switzerland in 2018. He loved Saint Maarten, where he was always so amazed at the size of the cruise ships. He enjoyed watching the sail boats, soaking in the sun and ocean and going on boating excursions.

Jim was a blessing from God and touched so many who had the good fortune to have known him. He will be missed deeply but forever loved even more.

Jim is survived by Carol; children, Jackie, James (Nancy), and Dr. Danny (Jenny) Hellrung; grandchildren, Ashley Hellrung, Andrew Marburg, Emma, Abigail, and Isabella Hellrung, Tara Rylant and Katie Shipley; great-grandson, Oliver; sisters, Diane (Steve) Krasnor and Janis (Steve) Rostermundt; sister-in-law, Diane Severson-Hellrung; brothers-in-law, Mickey Williams and George Vukobrat; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and pets.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Dorothy Hellrung; his in-laws, Arnold and Delores Ebben; his brother, Donald Hellrung; granddaughter, Megan Hellrung; sisters-in-law, Barbara Vukobrat and Joyce Williams; and niece Stacey Williams.

Special thanks to the Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Dr. Pelaez (trauma surgeon), Abby Penner (RN), Chaplain Eric Nicolaysen, and the Des Moines Fire Department Station 6 for taking such good care of Jim and his family in his time of need.

If desired, memorial donations can be made to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa in his honor.

For out of state travelers, a block of rooms have been reserved at The Rewind West Des Moines, Tapestry Collection


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