Obituary: James Kerr

James D. Kerr, 101, of Tripoli, died Friday, September 12, 2025, at Bartels Lutheran Retirement  Community in Waverly. 

Funeral services were held on Monday, September 15, 2025, at the United Methodist Church in  Frederika with Lay Speaker Betty Schmudlach and Lay Speaker Neil Whitney officiating.  Interment will follow at Alcock Cemetery; rural Memorials may be made to the family for later designation. 

James Donald, son of Robert Donald and Alice Nanette (Huppert) Kerr was born on January 25, 1924, at the family’s farm home rural Hudson, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at the United Brethren Church in Hudson. James graduated from Hudson High School in 1941. On April 16, 1947, he was united in marriage with Louise Olson at Elfsburg Lutheran Church in Pomeroy. To this union, three children were born, Steven J., Julia, and Linda. James began his  life of farming with his father at the family’s farm, rural Hudson, prior to the family moving to  Frederika in 1942, where he continued to farm his entire life. In the mid 1980’s James and  Louise moved into Tripoli, but James continued to farm. He was an 80-year member of the United Methodist Church in Frederika, where he served as Trustee for many years. He was a  long-time member of Farm Bureau, 4-H and served as the President of the Bremer County  Extension. James’ profession was also his passion, farming. When he wasn’t spending time on  the farm, he and his wife, Louise loved to travel. 

James is survived by his children, Julie (Kenny) Hennings of Tripoli and Linda (Kevin) Monnier  of Ionia; seven grandchildren, Angela Daniels, Michelle (Douglas) White, Daniel (Jenny)  Hennings, Chelse (Kevin) Wagner, Kirk (Sarah) Monnier, Trevor (Jess) Monnier, and Beth  (Christopher) Sulú; sixteen great-grandchildren, Isabelle (Aaron) Knight, Theodore Daniels, Aria  White, Alexa White, Eliza White, Sylvia Hennings, Simon Hennings, Scarlett Hennings, August  Wagner, Athan Wagner, Edmond Monnier, Colin Monnier, Sophie Monnier, Percy Monnier, Ivan  Monnier and Grace Sulú; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Louise; son, Steven J. Kerr; grandson, Shawn Kerr; and siblings, Wilma Bode, Margaret Roderick, Marian Beck, Virginia