James Lage

Thursday, September 16, 2021 2:56 pm

James (Jim) Peter Lage, age 82, of Decorah, Iowa passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021, at Reid Health Care Center, Richmond, IN, surrounded by his family, having suffered a stroke while returning from the Iowan Veterans Honor Tour bus trip to Washington, DC which he was honored and privileged to take.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, at Decorah Lutheran Church with Rev. Randy Gehring officiating. Private Family Burial will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 21, at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, Minn, with full military honors.Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah, and on Monday beginning at 10 a.m., one hour before the service, at Decorah Lutheran Church.

Jim was born on Oct. 8, 1938, the oldest son of George and Esther (Johnson) Lage, in Tyler, Minn. He grew up on the family farm in Lake Benton, Minn., where he and his younger brothers, Robert (Bob) Lage and Jerald (Jerry) Lage, cared for the chickens, tended the garden and learned the importance of a good day’s work. Jim attended country school in Lincoln County, Minn., graduating from Lake Benton High School, Lake Benton, Minn., in 1956. It was at Lake Benton High School that he met Arlene (Hanson) Lage, the love of his life. Jim attended South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD from 1956 to 1959 prior to proudly serving our country as a Batallion Clerk in the United States Army from 1959 to 1962. He was stationed at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, IN as an SP5.

Jim and Arlene were married on Aug. 19, 1961 at English Lutheran Church, Lake Benton, Minn. They were blessed with four children. Following his service to our country, Jim began his banking career at First National Bank in Pipestone, Minn. His career continued in Ravenna, NE, Remsen, IA and Postville, IA where he was President of Citizen State Bank until his retirement in 1999. 

Jim and Arlene have made their home in Decorah since 2000. Serving as a 4-H leader, gardening, traveling and singing with his brothers in the Luren Singing Society and giving of his time and talents on local and state boards brought Jim joy. He was especially honored to have served as President of the Iowa Bankers Association and President of the Iowa 4-H Foundation. Summer vacations were spent at the county fair helping his children and grandchildren with their livestock and other projects. Nothing was more important to Jim than family and he treasured working side by side with his children and supporting his grandchildren and great grandson whenever possible. 

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, brother Bob Lage, mother and father-in-law Burton and Isabel (Freeman) Hanson, sister-in-law Eileen (Paulson) Lage, and brother-in-law Dennis Hanson.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Arlene, Decorah, IA, brother Jerry and Charlene Lage, Rice, MN, brother-in-law Dale and Marge Hanson, Northfield, MN  and daughters Michele (Shelly) and Randy Gehring, Harrisburg, SD; Denise and Grant Duffy, Waseca, MN; Kirsten and Brian Tharp, Washington, IL and son Gregory (Greg) and Amy Lage, Postville, IA. “Gramps” will be missed by his grandchildren Laura (David) Laughlin, Chaska, MN; Thomas (Tom) Gehring, Rocky Boy, MT and special friend Jo Dobrowski, Chicago, IL; Amanda Lage and fiance Dallis VanderWal, Brandon, SD; Hannah Lage and special friend Austin Pohl, Decorah, IA: Isaac, Anika, Andrew and Emily Tharp, Washington, IL; Margaret Duffy, Sidney, MT; Katharine (Katie) Duffy, Waseca, MN and great grandson Oliver Laughlin, Chaska, MN. He is also survived by several cousins, nieces, nephews and his Vennehjem family.

Memorials are preferred to the Allamakee County Agricultural Society Show Barn Fund, Luren Singing Society or donor’s choice.Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family.Online condolences may be made at www.fjelstul.com