James Whitcomb Obituary
A celebration of life service for James D. Whitcomb, 79, will be at 11 am
Friday, March 19, 2021 at Faith United Methodist Church in Eyota; the Pastor
Laurie A. Boche will officiate. Burial at the Oak Grove Cemetery, Eyota, will
follow the service. Visitation is one hour prior to the service at the church.
James Douglas Whitcomb, 79 of Eyota died Saturday, March 13, 2021, at his
home due to a short and courageous battle with Large B-Cell Lymphoma
surrounded by his loving family.
James Douglas Whitcomb was born June 22, 1941, in Rochester. He
attended school in Eyota, graduating in 1959 then attending the University of
Minnesota for one year before coming home to farm.
On September 18, 1965 he married Dianne Schmidt in Eyota. Having two
children Samantha and Elizabeth, deciding different life journeys in 1980.
December 8, 1990, he married Linda (Copeman) Meyer.
Mr. Whitcomb was a lifelong member of Faith United Methodist Church. In
addition, he was a member of the Eyota/St. Charles Masonic Lodge receiving
a 50-year pin. Farming until 2006, the main Whitcomb Family Farm mechanic,
if it was broke or broke down it never took Jim long to get the men back to the
field. Was a member of the philosopher table at the Eyota Café, and was the
most accurate unpaid amateur meteorologist around.
He is survived by his wife Linda; a daughter, Elizabeth of Eyota; Elizabeth’s
mother Dianne Schmidt, Eyota; son-in-law Jay Kobriger, Eyota; many
nieces/nephews, great nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by
his parents, Frank and Lucile (Parker) Whitcomb; one daughter Samantha
Kobriger; Siblings: a sister and husband, Margaret and Wayne Grannemann;
two brothers and wives, Walter and Arleen; Francis Jr. and Madeline;
nephew, Bruce Grannemann.
Survivors step-children LeAnn (Matt) Vesey, and their child Douglas (Stacy)
and their children Braxton and Brooklyn, Emmetsburg, IA; William Meyer,
Rochester, MN; Timothy Meyer, Eyota, MN his children Autumn (Alex)
Gruhlke, Eyota, Dylan Meyer, Eyota, and Austin Meyer, Eyota; Brother-in-law
John (Kathy) Copeman of Chatfield, sister-in-law's Ruth Copeman and Liz
Copeman of Fountain and Roberta Copeman of Chatfield. He is preceded in
death by brother-in-law's Rod, Bill and Charles.
Immediate family may join Mr. Whitcomb’s family at the farm following the
burial.
Special thanks to Eisenberg 7-2 staff for taking care of Jim. Memorials are
preferred to Mayo Clinic Hospice.
Schad & Zabel Funeral Home of Eyota is handling arrangements. Face mask
and social distancing will be required at the service/burial/Whitcomb Farm.
Friday, March 19, 2021 at Faith United Methodist Church in Eyota; the Pastor
Laurie A. Boche will officiate. Burial at the Oak Grove Cemetery, Eyota, will
follow the service. Visitation is one hour prior to the service at the church.
James Douglas Whitcomb, 79 of Eyota died Saturday, March 13, 2021, at his
home due to a short and courageous battle with Large B-Cell Lymphoma
surrounded by his loving family.
James Douglas Whitcomb was born June 22, 1941, in Rochester. He
attended school in Eyota, graduating in 1959 then attending the University of
Minnesota for one year before coming home to farm.
On September 18, 1965 he married Dianne Schmidt in Eyota. Having two
children Samantha and Elizabeth, deciding different life journeys in 1980.
December 8, 1990, he married Linda (Copeman) Meyer.
Mr. Whitcomb was a lifelong member of Faith United Methodist Church. In
addition, he was a member of the Eyota/St. Charles Masonic Lodge receiving
a 50-year pin. Farming until 2006, the main Whitcomb Family Farm mechanic,
if it was broke or broke down it never took Jim long to get the men back to the
field. Was a member of the philosopher table at the Eyota Café, and was the
most accurate unpaid amateur meteorologist around.
He is survived by his wife Linda; a daughter, Elizabeth of Eyota; Elizabeth’s
mother Dianne Schmidt, Eyota; son-in-law Jay Kobriger, Eyota; many
nieces/nephews, great nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by
his parents, Frank and Lucile (Parker) Whitcomb; one daughter Samantha
Kobriger; Siblings: a sister and husband, Margaret and Wayne Grannemann;
two brothers and wives, Walter and Arleen; Francis Jr. and Madeline;
nephew, Bruce Grannemann.
Survivors step-children LeAnn (Matt) Vesey, and their child Douglas (Stacy)
and their children Braxton and Brooklyn, Emmetsburg, IA; William Meyer,
Rochester, MN; Timothy Meyer, Eyota, MN his children Autumn (Alex)
Gruhlke, Eyota, Dylan Meyer, Eyota, and Austin Meyer, Eyota; Brother-in-law
John (Kathy) Copeman of Chatfield, sister-in-law's Ruth Copeman and Liz
Copeman of Fountain and Roberta Copeman of Chatfield. He is preceded in
death by brother-in-law's Rod, Bill and Charles.
Immediate family may join Mr. Whitcomb’s family at the farm following the
burial.
Special thanks to Eisenberg 7-2 staff for taking care of Jim. Memorials are
preferred to Mayo Clinic Hospice.
Schad & Zabel Funeral Home of Eyota is handling arrangements. Face mask
and social distancing will be required at the service/burial/Whitcomb Farm.
To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of James Whitcomb hosted by Schad and Zabel Funeral Homes.
Events
Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of James Whitcomb.