Herman Thornburg

Herman “Jim” Thornburg, 69, of Baxter, died Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014, at Skiff Medical Center in Newton. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Baxter. A funeral service will immediately follow the visitation and will begin at 1 p.m. with Pastor Nate Klug officiating. Burial will follow at the Restland Cemetery in Baxter.

Jim was born on May 7, 1945, to Floyd and Mary (Polson) Thornburg in Pleasantville. He attended Pleasantville School and following high school he joined the Navy. Jim proudly served his country on the U.S.S. Bennington aircraft carrier during the Vietnam War, where he was a recipient of several metals, including two bronze stars; which he was most proud of. After the war Jim returned to Iowa where he married Betty Townsend on Aug. 20, 1968, in Lincoln, Neb. They called Baxter their home and raised their family there. He worked for Townsend Lumber for many years as a carpenter in Baxter, and later Maytag where he retired from in 2006. Jim was a member of the VFW. Jim enjoyed life and pulling pranks on others, most especially his family. He loved spending time with his family, gardening, writing personal letters to family and friends, scratching lottery tickets, and also loved his country.

Those left to cherish his memories are his wife Betty Thornburg of Newton; his daughter Terri (Kelly) Hargan of Baxter; son James (Angela) Thornburg of Monroe; grandchildren, Taylor, Mackenzie, Sierra, Emily and Benny; sisters Sharon (Gary) Gray of Des Moines, Sheryll McDermott of Ackley, Mary (Lance) Whylie of San Antonio, Texas, and Dora (Tom) Newson of Overland Park, Kan.; brothers Gene (Esther) Thornburg of Phoenix, Ariz., Roger Thornburg of Baxter, Kenneth Thornburg of Pleasantville; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; sister Shirley Thornburg; and brothers Loren Thornburg and Franklin Thornburg.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to the Jim Thornburg Memorial Fund at Fredregrill Family Funeral Home in Baxter.

Fredregill Family Funeral Home in Baxter has been entrusted with the care of Jim and his family.