"A beautiful service to honor a guy we all knew and loved! His stories and his ornery smile will surely be missed. "
In loving memory of
James Lee Waterhouse
June 25, 1942 - November 26, 2021
Following a normal 10 hour day with his tiling and bulldozer business, 79 year old James Lee Waterhouse passed away unexpectedly at his home of an apparent heart attack on November 26, 2021. An avid outdoorsman and soil conservationist, Jim had a passion for his life's work, James Waterhouse Construction, which he and his wife, Berna, owned and operated for more than 58 years. He was very proud that his son, Jamey and grandson, Justin Hultman, shared his love of nature and conservation work.
Jim was born June 25, 1942 to Robert A. and Olletha (Zickefoose) Waterhouse in Washington County, Iowa. He attended Dutch Creek Center Country School and graduated from West Chester High School in 1960. Jim was united in marriage to Berna Ann Hahn on October 25, 1963 in Iowa City , Iowa. They lived in the Dublin area on their family farm their entire married life. In addition to his construction business, Jim was a farmer, beekeeper, cattle producer, adopted wild mustangs and more recently raised mules. He served for 7 years in the 872nd Light Maintenance Division of the Army Reserves.
Jim enjoyed hunting, especially with grandsons, riding mules, working with bees and extracting honey, waterskiing and developing ponds and wetland projects.
He entertained many family gatherings with tales of mischief he enjoyed pranking others. A former teacher always reminded him of the time he tied a rope around the out house door while she was inside.
He is survived by his wife, Berna, daughters: Lynnette Hultman and husband Larry, Jan Waterhouse and husband Dave Burbidge and son James M. (Jamey) Waterhouse and wife Traci. Also surviving are his grandchildren: Alyssa (Jake) Slings, Justin (Allie) Hultman, Joshua Burbidge, Eva Burbidge, Ryan Burbidge, Austin, Tyler, Caleb and Tanner Waterhouse, two great-grandchildren, Jax Lee Hultman and Willa Madeline Slings, sister, Joy (Keith) Bothell and sister-in-law, Connie Waterhouse.
Preceding him in death were his son Jon in 2006, parents, brothers, David and Robert Waterhouse Jr., nephews Jason Waterhouse, Eric Waterhouse, Nickolas Peck and brother-in-law Denny Miller.
Celebration of life Service will be 10:00 am Tuesday November 30, 2021 at the Powell Funeral Home in Keota. Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Dublin, Iowa. Visitation will be Monday from 3:00 to 7:00 pm at the Powell Funeral Home in Keota. There has been a general memorial established. Messages and tributes may be directed to www.powellfuneralhomes.com.
Tributes
"Our sympathies to the Waterhouse family, we are very sorry for your loss. Jan and Lynnette, our thoughts are with you. "
"sincere condolences and prayers to the Waterhouse family"
"Our most sincere condolences to all of the Waterhouse family, our prayers are with you."
"Thinking of you with love, Berna! Anyone who knew him has a Jim Waterhouse story. He was a character, and had a gleam in his eye. "
"Very sorry for Berna's and family's loss. Ron and Jamie Ginkens"
"What a great person and family have many great memories of them as neighbors and the airdale they gave me "
"Please accept the Burbidge family?s deepest condolences in this time of Jim?s passing. Such a lovely obituary and summary of his many accomplishments and passions. I know he will be dearly missed. -Steve Burbidge"
"We will always remember Jim?s humor! And the fact that he married and had beautiful children with my Classmate Berna Hawn Waterhouse. Love them both. Jim was a very hard worker, so much so that he would have wanted to meet the Lord with his boots on! Probably will still be working hard for the Lord too up there! "