James “Jim” Prymek

James “Jim” Prymek

Iowa City

James “Jim” Prymek, 83, of Iowa City passed away on October 20, 2024.

Visitation will be held Thursday, October 24, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, 605 Kirkwood Avenue, Iowa City with a service to begin at 12:00 PM. Burial with military honors will follow the service at Ridgewood Cemetery in North Liberty. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hawkeye Model Railroad Club.

Jim was born on October 27, 1940, in Washington, Iowa to Lewis J. and Adeline F. (Balik) Prymek. He grew up with three older brothers and one younger sister on the family farm until they sold the farm and moved to North Liberty as a young boy. He enlisted in the United States Army National Guard in 1961 before he was honorably discharged in 1967. On May 27, 1972,

Jim married Dianne Grimm at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Iowa City. He spent his career as a union laborer with Laborers Local #309 of Rock Island, where he was a hardworking and loyal member for 61 years.

Jim was known for his incredible handyman skills, always building or fixing something. He was a perfectionist, and you knew that anything you did wouldn’t be done the right way unless it was done by him. Jim was hard-headed and stubborn, but always dependable and selflessly devoted to his family, friends and neighbors. He enjoyed attending the Old Timers Racing Reunions, collecting trains, stock car racing, and was an avid Hawkeye fan.

Jim was a dad to anyone who knew him, and he took extreme pride in his two granddaughters.

He is survived by his wife Dianne Prymek, two children David Prymek (Kristin Stockman) and Donna Prymek (Cliff Williams), brother Ron (Pat) Prymek, sister-in-law Jeannine Grimm, and two granddaughters Hannah Prymek (Sam Wingert) and Carlie Prymek.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Kenny, Joe and Carolyn Prymek, and brother-in-law Mike Grimm.