James R. "Jim" Golden

James Ralph Golden, 93, of Sioux City passed away peacefully amongst his family on Friday, February 11, 2022, in Sioux City. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, February 18, 2022 at Holy Cross Parish Blessed Sacrament. To view the service online please visit https://www.facebook.com/holycrossparishsc/live/ or https://holycrosssc.org/james-golden-funeral. Visitation will be on Thursday, February 17, 2022 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. with vigil service followed by rosary beginning at 7:00 P.M. at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Burial with military honors will be at Calvary Cemetery. 

Jim was born in Turtle Lake, Wisconsin to Ann and J. Ralph Golden.  He attended Turtle Lake schools until 1945, and at age seventeen entered the Navy, serving aboard the USS Current (ARS-22) through Okinawa to Tokyo Bay. He returned home to Wisconsin and attended the Minnesota School of Business. He met a sweet young girl named Elizabeth Janovsky who worked in the bank at Ashland, Wisconsin, and he was hooked for life.

Jim and Beth were married on June 3, 1950, at St. Agnes Church in Ashland. The couple moved to Austin, Minn. in 1950, where their first two children were born. In 1952, they moved on to Stewartville, Minn., where two more children arrived. Their final move was to Sioux City in 1956, where they added three more children, and continued to raise their seven children alongside an active church and community life.

Jim retired in 1994 after 42 years of selling Insurance for State Farm, working in district management for several of those years. He was a member of multiple professional organizations in the industry, including Certified Life Underwriters and Certified Financial Underwriters, and more (he assured us it was okay to miss a few). He was notably featured in a national Super Bowl television commercial in 1974 for State Farm, an honor he earned as one of the top Life Insurance agents in the country. His success stemmed from his genuine desire to see no family left destitute if a supporting spouse passed away.  Many of his longtime friends came from State Farm; both customers and co-workers.

In addition to his professional life, Jim was a Boy Scoutmaster of Troop 100 (which he enjoyed with all of his sons), a member and Past-President of Sioux City Kiwanis, member and Past-President of the St. Serra Club of Sioux City, elected to the Woodbury County School Board, and Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors Club, amongst many other civic involvements. A very active member of Blessed Sacrament Church, he served in several capacities at church and in the Sioux City Diocese, including as a 4th degree Knight of Columbus and supporter of Heelan High School and Briar Cliff University. The Catholic faith of his youth lasted a lifetime and he prayed the rosary daily for all his kids and grandkids.

A Wisconsin boy through and through, Jim was a big fan of cheese, more cheese, and when in doubt, cheese curds. He enjoyed copious amounts of golf and fishing, Poker and Gin Rummy, beer and cigars, playing pool (with cigars), smoking his pipe, red licorice and gingersnaps.  He was the master of tall tales, Dad jokes, Sven and Ole jokes and of Irish tenor songs sung in a memorable baritone croon. Jim loved meeting new people and his memory was exceptional. He could tell anyone the county road route to anywhere, especially in western Wisconsin. He was an impeccable dresser (except for that forgettable period of leisure suits in the 70’s); in retirement known for his sweater vests and driving cap.

Jim had a giant -sized love and devotion to his wife, Beth, and family. And they in return ‘loved him to pieces’. His kids will remember him for equal parts a (very) firm hand in parenting, and lots of mischief and fun. His grandkids will remember his stories and songs, reading books to them, and playing games. And his laugh-pure delight in seeing his grandkids, no matter what age.

Jim is survived by his children, Kathy Golden of Sioux City, IA, daughter-in-law, Theresa Golden of Spirit Lake, IA, Mike (Mary) Golden of Woodbury, MN, Daniel (Judy) Golden of Maplewood, MN, Kevin Golden of San Francisco, CA, Keith (Chris) Golden of St. Paul, MN, and Mary Beth (Rene) Beacom of West Des Moines, IA; 16 grandchildren, Erin (Josh) Zimmerman, Ben (Naomi) Golden; Keely (Calin Butterfield) Golden and Collin (Marilyn) Golden; J. Finn and Brigid Golden; Noah, Nick, Elise (Ryan Lacona), Evan (Paige), Nathan, Maria, Derly, Ethan, Cecilia and Aaron Beacom; nine great-grandchildren, Gus and Freddie Zimmerman;  Adelaide, Matthias, Emaline and Dominic Lacona; and George, Renee, and John Beacom; brothers, Tom Golden of WI, and Jack Golden of AZ; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Elizabeth; his eldest son, Jim; sisters, Patricia and BettyAnn; and his parents. What a glorious reunion they are all having.

The family is grateful to the staff at Sunrise Retirement who knew and cared for Jim for over ten years since Beth began staying with them, and to his many friends, relatives, and priest friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Blessed Sacrament/Holy Cross Parish, or to the Downtown Kiwanis Club of Sioux City.