James "Jim" Erwin Wasta

James “Jim” Erwin Wasta, 95, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died on the 23rd of March in 2026 in his home at the Meth-Wick Community. A celebration of life will be at a later date.

Jim was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on January 5, 1931, to Louise (Lilja) and Erwin J. Wasta. He was a 1949 mid-year graduate of Franklin High School and graduated from Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa, with a BA degree. Jim served in the U.S. Army from 1952 until 1954, when he began employment with his family business, Pioneer Office Products. He was married to Jo A. Goetz in La Grange, Illinois, on June 13, 1953.

After retirement, Jim loved golfing with his Franklin High School buddies and love of time with family. Jim volunteered with local non-profit agencies, including the American Red Cross (Grant Wood Chapter), Aging Services, Inc., RSVP, Linn County Task Force, Tanager Place, and as a Linn County Small Claims Court Mediator. He was a long-time member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, downtown Rotary, and People's Church Unitarian Universalist.

He is survived by his wife, Jo Wasta; children, Kathrin (Richard) Green, Amy (Blaise) Lofland, John (Carmen) Wasta, and Philip (Caren) Wasta; ten grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; three expected great-grandchildren; brother, Wayne (Phyllis) Wasta; sisters-in-law, Joanne C. Wasta and Barbara Weber.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his parents-in-law, a sister, Nan Jean Johnson Heral, and a brother, Richard L. Wasta.

Those wishing to honor Jim's memory might forward a memorial donation to a community agency Jim served or a charity of their choice.