James "Jim" Michael Malek

James (Jim) Michael Malek, of Sioux City, IA, passed away peacefully in his home in Sioux City, IA on December 4^th, 2021 surrounded by his wife and three children. A Mass of the Christian Burial will be held Saturday, December 11 at 10:30 a.m., at Mater Dei Parish, Church of The Nativity, with Father Bradley Pelzel as Celebrant.  To view the service online please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_ALad-RIqo  Visitation will be Friday from 4-7:00 p.m. with a rosary at 6:00 p.m. and a prayer service at 7:00 p.m., all at the church.  Burial will take place at noon on Monday, December 13 at St. John Cemetery in Duncan, IA.  Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel is handling the arrangements.  Online condolences may be made to www.meyerbroschapels.com. 

Jim was born October 6, 1959 to Sally (nee Buzicky) and Bill Malek in Britt, IA. Jim’s early years were spent growing up on the family farm, surrounded by his parents, grandparents, and siblings. He graduated from Britt High School in 1978 where he actively participated in band, choir, wrestling, football, Future Farmers of America, and was Student Council President. Fittingly, he was voted ‘Mr. Irresistible’ by his class, a title that held true his entire life, as he made friends wherever he went. Jim would likely count playing Professor Harold Hill in the high school production of the Music Man as a crowning high school achievement and could still accurately belt out the lyrics to the entire score for the rest of his days. Upon graduation, Jim moved right into his career in the Iowa pork industry- a career that brought him great success and that he was deeply passionate about.

Upon relocating to Estherville, IA for his job with John Morrell, legend has it he met his bride-to-be, Mette (nee Jensen) at the local bowling alley while dressed as a woman, as it happened to be Ladies League Night; and far be it from Jim to allow that tiny obstacle to stand in the way of an opportunity to have some fun! True to his irresistible nature, Jim and Mette fell in love and were married June 5^th, 1981, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Estherville, IA. Jim and Mette spent 40 wonderful years of marriage together raising three children, traveling to many beautiful and exotic locations with their family and friends, and partnering in countless ways to generously help those in need and to support a community and church they were so actively a part of.

Forever the ‘Music Man’, Jim’s love of singing and the gift of his beautiful voice was shared through countless musical endeavors throughout his life. He was an active participant in the Nativity Jubilation Choir and Discovery Chorus (a local men’s barbershop group), he frequently was a cantor at church, sang at numerous weddings and funerals, or performed an impromptu concert whenever and wherever he felt moved to sing (i.e.the most moving rendition of Amazing Grace at St. Anne’s Cathedral in Jerusalem). He could make up a tune on-the-fly for whatever the occasion demanded- be it a simple car ride to pick up a friend on the way to preschool, or a song to motivate his oft-reluctant teenage son to get out of bed in the morning. He was a master of rhymes and puns and could put anything to music.

When it came to work, whatever the job required, Jim got it DONE. He rose before the sun every day to get to the office, where he worked alongside colleagues who felt like family. He was an expert in his industry and brought so much success because of the way he could connect with his clients and customers. Jim was blessed to be offered an incredible career opportunity with Sioux Preme Packing Company in 1995, a pivotal moment in his career where he was able to partner with and mentor so many wonderful people. Jim loved his work and made many incredible professional relationships along the way with others that he would come to count as friends. To quote his business partner and dear friend, “Jim was known for his unselfish willingness to help anyone, no matter what challenge they might be facing.”

Nowhere was Jim’s larger-than-life energy and presence more of a gift than in his role as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and dear friend. While most certainly the creator behind almost every dad joke, Jim’s sense of humor made him the life of the party. He was the friend you could count on to jump in immediately and lend a hand. His grandchildren delighted in his made-up games and boundless energy, never once hesitating when they asked for one more game, a boat ride, to go fishing, read a story, have a tea party, or sing a song. Jim and Mette would jump in the car without a thought to drive 8 hours to watch their grandkids play sports or to see a dance recital. Whether being the loudest parent/grandparent cheering in the stands, or volunteering at The Hope Center, Jim brought joy and fun to all of those in his presence.

Faith, humor, authenticity, humility, generosity- Jim had it all. He lived to make everyone in his presence feel special, lifelong friend or perfect stranger. He believed his purpose in life was to do things for others, expecting nothing in return. The countless stories of ways he helped others, unbeknownst to those who knew him best, takes one’s breath away. He was a saint among us, leaving a significant void for us all to fill. ‘What Would Jim Malek Do?’, a phrase coined by good friends when faced with a challenge or an opportunity to serve others, is the way to carry on his legacy. It is requested that all those who knew and loved Jim go out and do for others the way he would. Pay it forward, give humbly in ways that move others to do the same, ‘play the glad game’ by finding the good in a crummy situation or by being the good for someone who may be suffering.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Sally Malek, his siblings Paul, Carl and Ramona Malek, his monther-in-law Pauline Michels and his father-in-law Gene Jensen. He is survived by his wife Mette, his children Melinda (Craig) Moe, Angela (Scott) Gutleber, and Michael (Augusta) Malek; his grandchildren, Colin Staley, Larsen Moe, Mason Gutleber,  Miles Gutleber, Mabel Moe, Maxwell Gutleber, and Alice Moe; siblings Dan Malek and Rosanne Malek, his loyal pup, Henri, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends who were like family to Jim.

As a last act of selflessness and generosity, Jim chose to donate his brain to the Mayo Clinic Brain Bank in hopes of one day finding a more effective treatment or cure for others diagnosed with glioblastoma or other diseases of the brain. His family is so grateful for the expert and loving care Jim received from Family Healthcare of Siouxland (specifically Dr. Delna Lee), Mayo Clinic- Rochester, and St. Croix Hospice in Sioux City.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Camp High Hopes (https://camphighhopes.com/donate/) or The Hope Center- Sunnybrook Church (http://sunnybrookhopecenter.org), two causes and organizations near and dear to Jim’s heart.