James E. Kingland
James E. Kingland, 87, Lake Mills, passed away Monday, Dec. 14, 2020 at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center, Mason City. A private funeral service for Jim will be held Thursday, Dec. 17, at the Kingland Farm with Pastor Steve Bang officiating. The service will be streamed on the Schott Funeral Homes website beginning at 11 a.m., Thursday. The link can be found on the James Kingland’s Tribute Wall. Military honors will be provided by the Otto Chose Post #235.Burial will take place in Sunset Rest Cemetery, Northwood.
James Edwin Kingland was born Jan. 2, 1933, in Albert Lea, Minn., the son of Edwin and Alyce (Gullickson) Kingland. He was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church, Lake Mills. Jim graduated from Lake Mills Community School in 1951 and from Grinnell College, Grinnell, in 1955, with a degree in economics.
After graduation from Grinnell, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served his country from 1955-1959. Jim was a naval airborne air controller on the aircraft carrier, USS Ticonderoga.
On June 30, 1956, Jim was united in marriage to Virginia Rhoads. They moved back to Lake Mills, where he and Ginny raised four children: David, Douglas, Carolyn, and Jennifer. Jim loved his family above all else, and was the happiest when he was surrounded by them.
Jim enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren at school concerts and sporting events. He and Ginny loved to watch and attend Minnesota Twins games. Jim must have driven a million times out to the farm, as that was a huge part of his life.
Jim worked with his father, Ed, in the family Ford dealership, Kingland Motor Company. In 2001, after 78 years, Kingland Motor Company shut its door for the final time. Jim was thankful for the friendships and community support during his years in business. While still in the dealership, Jim began his second career in farming. Just weeks before his death, Jim was still involved with the family farm, making decisions and offering advice.
He is survived by his wife of 64-1/2 years, Virginia (Ginny) Kingland, Lake Mills; children: David (Deb) Kingland, Clear Lake; Douglas (Gretchen) Kingland, rural Northwood; Carolyn (Jon) Hanson, Hampton; and Jennifer (Troy) Apple, West Des Moines; siblings: John (Cheryl) Kingland, Ames; and Marjorie Kingland, Albert Lea, Minn.; grandchildren: Kristi (Matt) Younkin, Katy (Matt) Naumann, Courtney (Ken) Hiveley, Carly (Chris) Heilskov, Meg (Steve) Young, Hunter, Granger, and Denton Kingland; and great-grandchildren: Aliyah, Kinley, Kendall, Robert, Gianna, and Liam.
He was preceded in death by his parents; as well as his parents-in-law, Herbert and Mary Rhoads.
