- Born on: March 21, 1933
- Departed on: December 4, 2022
- Resided in: New Hampton, IA
Francis (Jim) James Galligan
Francis James Galligan (known by friends as Jim and as Pop and Grandpa by his family), passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Dec. 4, 2022, in New Hampton, Iowa, at the age of 89.
Jim was born on the Galligan farmstead near Lawler, which he then went on to farm himself when he started his own family. He met his wife, Doris Wegner, at a dance and the two were smitten from the start. Jim proposed in front of the North Washington Catholic Church and they married there in 1958 before Jim left to serve in the Army in Ft. Collins, Colorado. They started their family soon after his return from service. After 12 years, they found themselves and those 7 kids piled in a VW Bug, going to church at Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler, IA.
After farming, Jim continued his career in agriculture, as Manager of the Lawler Co-op and later, selling grain bins. He retired after 14 years as the Head Maintenance Technician at New Hampton Nursing and Rehab. A born Do-It-Yourselfer with a quick wit and even quicker grin, his work at the nursing home impacted the residents and staff even more than the building itself.
As a private pilot, Jim was a member of the New Hampton Flying club and he delighted his young kids with flights over the farm. When he wasn’t flying, farming, fishing, or playing cards with friends and family, Jim was puttering around his shop working on carpentry projects. He could fix anything that the kids broke and built two garages from scratch. He loved Sunday drives, watching Iowa Hawkeyes basketball, and playing with his beloved cat, Sammy. Once all the kids left the nest, he enjoyed walk-abouts all over New Hampton and catching up on the news at the library, where he stained his fingers with the ink of every available newspaper in the building.
Along with his wife Doris, Jim enjoyed scouring flea markets and road-tripping across the country before and after his retirement, visiting all those kids! A kid-at-heart himself, when Jim was playing with his grandkids, it was hard to tell who was giggling more.
Quick with a joke, Jim lived life with humor at the ready. We know he’s now enjoying the laughter with his beloved family members who passed before him: his mom, Florence, his dad, Joe, brothers Chuck and Duane, sister-in-law Celine Galligan, and his son, Gary.
He leaves behind his wife Doris, and kids Mike Galligan of New Hampton, IA, Barb (Bob) Havens of Eldora, IA, Mark Galligan of New Hampton, IA, Paula (Paul) Laures of Lenexa, KS, Dave (Lori) Galligan of Decorah, IA, and Diane (Dave) Fitz of Leawood, KS. He also leaves behind his daughter-in-law, Kelley Galligan of Lakeside, CA, nine grandkids, and many nieces, nephews, and in-laws.
Jim passed on his mechanical prowess, love of laughter, music, animals, flying, travel, and savoring the little things. He never met an ice cream cone he didn’t like and approached his life with an optimistic two thumbs up and an Irish grin.
Per Jim’s wishes, a private memorial is being planned for a future date. In lieu of flowers, please go enjoy an ice cream cone in Jim’s memory. Savor every bite and if you have a dog, save that last bit at the bottom for them. Pop would.
Jim was born on the Galligan farmstead near Lawler, which he then went on to farm himself when he started his own family. He met his wife, Doris Wegner, at a dance and the two were smitten from the start. Jim proposed in front of the North Washington Catholic Church and they married there in 1958 before Jim left to serve in the Army in Ft. Collins, Colorado. They started their family soon after his return from service. After 12 years, they found themselves and those 7 kids piled in a VW Bug, going to church at Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler, IA.
After farming, Jim continued his career in agriculture, as Manager of the Lawler Co-op and later, selling grain bins. He retired after 14 years as the Head Maintenance Technician at New Hampton Nursing and Rehab. A born Do-It-Yourselfer with a quick wit and even quicker grin, his work at the nursing home impacted the residents and staff even more than the building itself.
As a private pilot, Jim was a member of the New Hampton Flying club and he delighted his young kids with flights over the farm. When he wasn’t flying, farming, fishing, or playing cards with friends and family, Jim was puttering around his shop working on carpentry projects. He could fix anything that the kids broke and built two garages from scratch. He loved Sunday drives, watching Iowa Hawkeyes basketball, and playing with his beloved cat, Sammy. Once all the kids left the nest, he enjoyed walk-abouts all over New Hampton and catching up on the news at the library, where he stained his fingers with the ink of every available newspaper in the building.
Along with his wife Doris, Jim enjoyed scouring flea markets and road-tripping across the country before and after his retirement, visiting all those kids! A kid-at-heart himself, when Jim was playing with his grandkids, it was hard to tell who was giggling more.
Quick with a joke, Jim lived life with humor at the ready. We know he’s now enjoying the laughter with his beloved family members who passed before him: his mom, Florence, his dad, Joe, brothers Chuck and Duane, sister-in-law Celine Galligan, and his son, Gary.
He leaves behind his wife Doris, and kids Mike Galligan of New Hampton, IA, Barb (Bob) Havens of Eldora, IA, Mark Galligan of New Hampton, IA, Paula (Paul) Laures of Lenexa, KS, Dave (Lori) Galligan of Decorah, IA, and Diane (Dave) Fitz of Leawood, KS. He also leaves behind his daughter-in-law, Kelley Galligan of Lakeside, CA, nine grandkids, and many nieces, nephews, and in-laws.
Jim passed on his mechanical prowess, love of laughter, music, animals, flying, travel, and savoring the little things. He never met an ice cream cone he didn’t like and approached his life with an optimistic two thumbs up and an Irish grin.
Per Jim’s wishes, a private memorial is being planned for a future date. In lieu of flowers, please go enjoy an ice cream cone in Jim’s memory. Savor every bite and if you have a dog, save that last bit at the bottom for them. Pop would.
