Jim Cihak

Jim Cihak was born on December 1, 1924, in Union County Iowa to James Vincent and Josephine Mary (Deholein) Cihak. Jim Cihak ,91, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 24, 2016 at his residence in Norwalk, Iowa .
As a boy, Jim worked alongside his parents and fell in love with farming. He attended and graduated from Afton High School with the class of 1942. As a young man, Jim continued to farm with his parents.
Farming was a passion for Jim, never just a job. In 1950, a farm accident left him without sight in both eyes. This loss of such a vital sense did not interfere with Jim’s passion and knowledge of the land, or his skill as a farmer, carpenter, and mechanic. He returned to the family farm, managing his crops and livestock, knowing that he was providing food to a fast growing world. People who observed Jim for the first time on the farm, fixing his machinery, feeding his livestock, and tending to his crops would have no idea he was sightless, and amazed upon learning of it. He had an uncanny ability to further disguise his loss of sight by looking you directly in the eye. In nearly every respect, despite this loss, Jim became a typical Iowa farmer.
Jim also refused to allow this accident to prevent him from raising a family. On January 2, 1954 Jim married Verlee Hunt at St. Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines. Jim and Verlee worked on the farm and raised three children. Jim was a member of St. Edwards Catholic Church in Afton and Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Creston. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Jim is survived by his children: Mike (Joy) Cihak, Afton; Julie (Mark Cullen) Cihak, West Des Moines , Gregg Cihak, Indianola; three grandchildren Lora (Justin) Swan; Vincent Cihak; James K. (April Hughes) Cihak; great-grandchildren Houston and Kaylee Swan, sister-in-law: Margie Wilson, Creston; and extended family and friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife Verlee in 1994 and his sister, Mary Jo Cihak in 2013.