The Life of JIM JOHN GUIZZETTI
Jim John Guizzetti, 88, of Urbandale, passed away January 24, 2013, at Ramsey Village. Funeral services with military honors will be held at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 29, 2013, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue, with burial following at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Jim “Jimmy” was born July 14, 1924, in Highbridge, Iowa, to Louis and Santina (Zon) Guizzetti. He grew up in Waukee, Iowa, where he attended school and worked in the Shuler Coal Mine. He was an Army World War II veteran, serving with the First Cavalry Division in the Pacific theater as a combat medic. Jim’s unit was involved in the liberation of Manila in the Philippines, and he was a Bronze Star recipient.
He wed Mary Meadows Parisho on December 31, 1953. Jim retired in 1986, after 34 years with Breiholz Construction Co. He was a 60-year member of Iowa Laborers Local 177. He was also a member of the Izaak Walton League of America. Jim enjoyed gardening, traveling, and spending time with family. He had a particular fondness for the children of his family who loved him immensely.
Jim is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary Guizzetti; his son, Michael Guizzetti; step-children, Sandra Parisho and Susanne Rieger, both of Des Moines, Gary Parisho (Julie) of New Virginia; his grandchildren, Kelley Rice, Pat Ball (Kim), Stacie Hukill, Christine VerHelst (Rod), and Shannon Parisho, all of Des Moines, Jeni Sauvaine of Ankeny, and Jaime Mullane (Gary) of Boston, MA; 12 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Lencioni of Palatine, IL. He will be dearly missed. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, two sisters, and one great-grandchild.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Waukee Public Library Shuler Mine Museum, Boys Town, or the VFW.
The family would also like to express their gratitude to the staff at Ramsey Village and Iowa Hospice for their compassion and care.
