Justin Michael James, age 43, of Bayard, IA, passed away on Friday, May 6, 2022 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines surrounded by his family.
Funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at the United Methodist Church in Bayard with Rev. Carolyn Scwartz and Rev. Bob Rogers officiating. Casket bearers will be Cheyne Christensen, Aaron Christensen, Harrison James, Landon James, Lucas Richardson, Matt McNeill, Mike Manning and Blake Swihart. Burial will be in the Willow Township Cemetery near Bayard.
Visitation will be held at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids from 5 – 7 P.M. on Friday. The casket will be moved to the United Methodist Church in Bayard at 9:30 – 10:15 A.M. on Saturday where visitation will resume.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com
Justin was born on December 19, 1978 in Atlantic, IA, and he was the son of Steve and Deb (Brehmer) James. He grew up in several towns and graduated from Newton High School with the class of 1997. He worked as a truck driver following high school and most recently at the Guthrie County Transfer Station. Justin was married to Amber Ankenbauer in 2003. To this union two sons were born: Harrison and Landon. The couple divorced and Justin was later remarried to Abby Lemke on September 9, 2012 at the Burr Oak Center in Coon Rapids. To this union three children were born: Kylie, Brycen, and Blake, and he lovingly adopted and became Dad to Makayla. Justin and Abby made their home Coon Rapids until moving to Bayard. Justin was a member of the Coon Rapids Lions Club and he proudly served as an EMT with the Coon Rapids Ambulance. He enjoyed camping, telling stories, fishing with his kids and teaching them about life, going to tractor pulls and figure 8 races, working on Lucas’ race car, and playing cards. Most of all, Justin cherished every moment spent with his family.
Justin is survived by his wife Abby James of Bayard; his children: Harrison and Landon James of Coon Rapids; and Makayla, Kylie, Brycen, and Blake all at home; his mom and dad Deb and Mitch Christensen of Humboldt; his father Steven James (Debra) of Carroll; his grandmothers Janet Hardy of Panora, Janice Brehmer of Atlantic, Betty James of Van Meter, and Corrine Christensen of Dighton, KS; his mother-in-law Jeanne Lemke of Bayard; a sister Jennifer James of Altoona; two brothers: Cheyne Christensen (Sarah) of Manson and Aaron Christensen (Larry Smith) of Ankeny; in-laws Rose and Michael Pruter of Bayard and Jerry Battles of Des Moines; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Justin was preceded in death by his grandfathers Burdette Brehmer, Gene Hardy, LaVerne James, and Emmert Christensen.
