James Lake
August 11, 1931 ~ February 5, 2009
James Arbour Lake, 77, of Gettysburg, passed away, Thursday, February 5, 2009 at the Gettysburg Memorial Hospital.
Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, February 8, 2009 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Gettysburg with Pastor Mark Moldenhauer officiating. Burial was in the Gettysburg Cemetery directed by Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg. Visitation was held from 3:00-7:00p.m., Saturday, February 7, 2009 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church with a 7:00p.m. prayer service.
Jim was born August 11, 1931 in Gettysburg, SD to Jay and Alpha (Knickerbocker) Lake. He attended grade school and high school at Gettysburg, graduating with the class of 1949. While in high school, Jim was active in FFA, where he was proud to have received a Star State Farmer award. Later, as an alumni, he received an Honorary Star Farmer award.
Jim married Amy Marian Maas on October 23, 1955 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Gettysburg. Jim and Amy started their married life living on the ranch at Lake Hurley. Since 1956, they have lived on the family farm east of Gettysburg.
His greatest passions were his faith, family, friends, and his farming and ranching operation. He was known not only for his work ethic, but also in his attention to detail. He lived by the motto; a job worth doing is worth doing well.
Jim was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church where he served on the church council in several positions, and also spearheading many of the church’s remodeling projects including the elevator installment project.
He was a member of the original Gettysburg Cemetery Association and was instrumental in the reorganization and improvements to the cemetery in 2006. Jim, along with his wife, Amy, were honored as the University of South Dakota’s Parents of the Year in the 1990 Dakota Days parade. He was also recognized on several occasions in relation to his farming/ranching operation, including Stock Grower of the Year award, and recipient of a State Conservation Achievement award.
Jim’s other interests included spending time and traveling with family, reading the bible, watching movies, and learning to fly.
Jim is survived by his wife, Amy of Gettysburg; and six children: Fay (Ken) Fisher of Brandon, Bonny (Steve) Culhane of Mitchell, Joan (Jeff) Aughenbaugh of Mitchell, John (Bridget) Lake of Gettysburg, Patti (Chris) Torbert of Sioux Falls, and Karen (Jim) Ristau of Chamberlain and 17 grandchildren Nathan (Carrie), Sean, and Ian McClanahan, Jeff and Jennifer Culhane, Beth and Laura Aughenbaugh, Austin, Allison and Kirstie Lake, Maria, Olivia and Samuel Torbert, and Zachary, Jessie, Gunner, and Garret Ristau; one brother, Boyd (Lillian) Lake of Gettysburg; sisters-in-law Elma Mangin and Miriam Maas of Gettysburg, brothers-in-law Kenneth (Dorothy) Maas of Aberdeen, and 15 nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Dellene Schilling, and two brothers-in-law Vernon Maas and Richard Mangin.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Jim’s arrangements.
MINISTER
Pastor Mark Moldenhauer
CASKETBEARERS
Nathan McClanahan
Jeff Culhane
Sean McClanahan
Ian McClanahan
Austin Lake
Zach Ristau
Ryan Lake
HONORARY CASKETEARERS
All of Jim's Friends & Neighbors
USHERS
Todd Mangin
Monte Harer
Emmanuel Church Elders
ORGANIST
Nancy Holzwarth
MUSICIANS
Chris Torbert
"On Eagle's Wings"
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
"Beautiful Savior"
"I Know That My Redeemer Lives"
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I’m so sorry to hear we’ve lost your gentle husband, father, and grandfather. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
It is with deepest sympathy and many kind thoughts that I write this messags. Our thoughts and prayers are providee as support and encouragement for the family. Rita Lemon and the HR staff of Avera Queen of Peace
Jordan and I are praying for you today and in the days to follow. We know your husband, father, and grandpa was a very special man and he will be missed by many. He always set a good example to live by. Let us know if we can do anything to help. Cherish the memories.
Dear Lake Family
I wanted to tell you how sorry I am for your loss. To all of you I grew up with–It has to be one of the hardest times to go through. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you and know it will be a journey but also knowing your Dad is with Our Lord.
I remember your Dad as a quiet gentle man but then when you had all twelve of us kids together he probably didn’t get a chance to say much. Take Care of each other
Dear Lake Family, I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I know that the Gettysburg community will always remember Jim as one of its very finest citizens. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers in the days to come.
Dear Lake Family, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Jim. My thoughts and prayers are with your family! May God be with you during this time. It is never easy to lose a loved one. Hold onto the memories!
You have my deepest sympathy. Jim was a fine man and I never saw him without a smile on his face.
Dear Aunt Amy, just to let you know we are thinking of you and everyone on this very sad day. I have such great memories of our summers together. Wish we could go back in time. Uncle Jim was very special to me. I love him very much. Wish I could be there but I will pray instead. My love to everyone. Hope to see you someday soon. Love, Susan, Larry, Michelle, Linda, and Lila
Lake families: Our deepest sympathy in your loss. Jim was one of the most kind and gentle
person we’ve known. So thankful for the opportunity to call him our friend.
We’re thankful that he did not have to suffer long and he is with our Lord and is at peace.
Our deepest sympathy to all of you. Be blessed with the happy memories and all the wonderful things Jim shared with you. His love will always be with you. He was a great guy.
Judy and Woody Grabinski
Our sincere sympathies in your loss. All of you have been such delightful neighbors; Jim was a blessing to our family!
My thoughts and prayers are with
all of you as you mourn Jim’s passing. I know what a tough
time this is. Jim is now home
with God, but he will live on
in your hearts. I have many fond
memories of the Lake family from
high school (especially Drill Team and Drum Majorette with Bonnie). God’s Blessings to all of you.
Our deepest sympathy to the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. God bless you.
Dennis and Marlene
Our thoughts & prayers have been with you when we heard about John’s health condition. We have continued praying for you, the family, as you grieve the loss. May you experience the peace from God knowing He is our refuge & strength in time of need, and He will be what fills the gap in times of loneliness in the days ahead. You are loved!
Carey & Nettie Gossen
My condolences to the Lake family on the loss of Jim. A truly decent man whose life lives on in his children.
Take care and God bless you.