GIESEN, James

GIESEN, James. (Minneapolis, MN, Nov. 16, 1937--Dubuque, IA, Sept. 27, 2022). The son of Earl and Patricia (Eggleston) Giesen, Jim grew up in Delano, Minnesota and graduated from Delano High School. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in June 1960 with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree and joined Deere & Company the same year. He married Judith Haley Giesen in August of 1962 in Des Moines, IA.

In 1986, Jim and Judy GIESEN took a position at LORAS COLLEGE in Campus Ministry working with students, staff and faculty on matters of peace and justice. They organized service trips to Appalachia, activism trips to Washington and efforts to raise awareness. During the racial tensions in Dubuque in 1991, the Geisens organized "Faces and Voices," a committee which led efforts to host a Human Relations Conference in Dubuque. Issues of rights and diversity were explored through dance, music, art and nationally recognized speakers. From 1990-1996 Jim worked with CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF DUBUQUE managing more than 200 units of housing for people of low income.

Jim was dedicated to volunteer church and civic organizations. He served on the Sacred Heart Moline School Board, the St. Edward Waterloo Parish Council, the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, The Iowa Catholic Conference, the Archdiocesan Due Process Board, the Waterloo Civil Service Commission, Dubuque Housing Commission, Dubuque Community Development Commission and the Dubuque County Foster Care Review Board. He also volunteered as a teacher aide at Prescott and Lincoln elementary schools in Dubuque. He was a member of the Democratic party.

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Source:

Obituaries, Dubuque Today, https://dubuquetoday.com/obituaries/