James E. Pieper

      James E. Pieper, 76, of Houghton, died at 9:50 a.m. Monday, Dec. 18, 2000, at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City, following a brief illness.

      The funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 22, at St. John Catholic Church in Houghton with the Rev. Dennis Hoffman officiating. Visitation will begin after 2 p.m. Thursday at the church, with a Knights of Columbus rosary recited at 3 p.m. and a Christian vigil service at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, both also at the church. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Marquette music program or St. John Church.

      Mr. Pieper was born July 15, 1924 at Mt. Hamill, the son of Frank and Mary Nichting Pieper. He married Renelda M. Holtkamp Oct. 4, 1952, at St. James Catholic Church in St. Paul. He was a lifelong resident of the Mt. Hamill and Houghton areas, a retired farmer, and a member of St. John Catholic Church in Houghton, the Knights of Columbus of Houghton, and the Holy Name Society of St. John Church.

      Survivors include his wife; five sons, David Pieper at home, Donald Pieper of Keokuk, Kenneth and Donna Pieper of Donnellson, Frank and Rhonda Pieper of Donnellson and Jay Pieper of Austin, Texas; two daughters, Elaine and Mark Hammer of Baxter and Rita and Alan Beers of Ainsworth; three sisters, Frances Caslavka of Fort Madison, Lucille and Robert Merschman of St. Paul and Ruth and Paul Holtkamp of Hillsboro; and eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, and a grandson.