James (Jim) Allen Isley, 77, passed away on January 30, 2025.
Jim was born on May 5, 1947, to Arthur and Leah Isley in Valley City, North Dakota. He was raised in Verona, North Dakota, where his father was a small-grain farmer and ran the Verona Hardware store. Jim often worked on the farm & at the store, where he acquired many practical skills. He attended Verona High School, graduating in 1965. Jim graduated from North Dakota State University with a degree in electrical engineering in 1969. He completed his master’s degree in electrical engineering at University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1985. Jim worked at the telephone company primarily known as Western Electric for thirty-three years.
He married Lana Mull on April 21, 1979, in Omaha, Nebraska at Lutheran Church of the Master, where they were active members for over 45 years. Since 2018, Jim and Lana have been members of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs, where they moved to be near their family.
Jim was a quiet man of many skills, always working on several projects at once. His projects ranged from working with computers to home improvements for family and friends. Lana and Jim made many cross-country trips with their camper, most often to North Ft Myers, Florida, where they wintered and had a community of close friends. He enjoyed playing cards and board games, and was an instigator of many Nerf gun wars. More than anything, he loved to spend time with his beloved grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Lana; his children: James Isley of Cape Coral, Florida; Reina (Mike) Collings of Cape Coral, Florida; David (Courtney) Isley of Greeley, Colorado; Brian (Karina) Isley of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Deanna (Justin) Merrill of Jewett City, Connecticut; and his grandchildren: Cody, Alden, Sierra, Connor, Jonathan, Brynn, Joshua, William and Wyatt. Jim was the third of eight children, and is survived by siblings Arthur, Jerry, Joan, John and Dale. He is preceded in death by his brother Fredrick and sister Faye and his parents.
The Isley family deeply appreciates the compassionate care provided for Jim by Springs Ranch Memory Care, Bloom Healthcare, and Abode Hospice.
A visitation will be held at 1:00 pm at Holy Cross Lutheran Church (4125 Constitution Ave, Colorado Springs) on Wednesday, February 5th. His funeral will follow the visitation at 2:00 pm. A reception with light refreshments will follow immediately after the funeral at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Jim will be laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs on Thursday, February 6th at 2:00 pm. Funeral arrangements have been made through Shrine of Remembrance.
Memorials in Jim’s name may be made to:
Colorado Springs Down Syndrome Association (https://csdsa.org)
Alzheimer’s Association (https://www.alz.org)
Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs (https://holycrosscs.org)
Betty and Bill Novak
4 Feb 2025Bill and I met Lana, and then met Jim through Lana. We didn’t know him a long time but we were impressed with his nice personality and friendly manner.
Dan Parke
5 Feb 2025Jim was an awesome engineer, mentor and great friend. I came to work for Lucent in Omaha in 1998. Dave introduced me to Jim at lunch. I quickly became one of the lunch gang. We ate lunch together nearly everyday in the cafeteria. The food was good and the daily banter helped make work fun. Jim was such a positive and helpful person. He was always helping others. The day Jim retired, I hung out with him all day and cried when he left work that day. A few years later we moved to NC and Jim and Lana stopped for a visit. It was wonderful to see Jim again. The years got away, but I will always hold Jim in my heart.
Dennis Wiemann
5 Feb 2025Jim has been one of my best friends from elementary school thru high school. We’ve had some really great times together. I recently just reconnected with him and had several long phone calls. It was so great to reconnect. Jim and I were born in the same hospital, just one day apart. He will be greatly missed. Rest in peace.
Kathleen West
5 Feb 2025Boyd and Kath West met Jim around January 1970. He was wonderful man and full of inspiration, kind, gentle, fun loving, and a very dedicated and hard working employee to Western Electric and all the name changes to this company. He was so loving of Lana and his kids and grandkids and his face would always light up when he was talking about them. Rest in Peace to a special friend.
Kim and Don Gerhardt
5 Feb 2025Lana was my best friend in high school. She moved to Omaha with her family after we graduated. She married Jim the same year I married my husband. We communicated through Christmas cards. She loved her husband with her whole heart. They enjoyed raising their children and having fun with their grand children. My heart goes out to Lana. Losing her husband has to be devastating. We are sending prayers up for her and her family.
Christal Chambers
5 Feb 2025I’m sorry for your loss karma and the rest of the family. I will be praying for you all. From Mrs Christal Sheree Vinson Chambers from Omaha Nebraska
Marti Mull Belluschi
5 Feb 2025We send our sympathy and love to Jim’s other family members. Jim has been our cousin since he married Lana in 1979. He was quiet but always smart, talented, knowledgeable, supportive, helpful and kind, with a caring smile. He was always there to share in family reunions, gatherings, joys and sorrows. We will hold tight to our fond memories. May he rest in peace.
Love, Mary Mull Casey, Marti Mull Belluschi, Dick Mull and Families
Lauren Norcross
5 Feb 2025Lana, We are very sorry for your loss. Jim was a very nice person. Norm & Lauren Norcross
Bob& Bonnie Larson
6 Feb 2025We met Jim& Lana and their family when we moved to Omaha in 1984. They were wonderful neighbors and we fast became friends;especially our son who bonded with Dave and Brian.Jim was a good role model and was helpful and caring.Our sincere sympathy goes out to Lana and the family who he was so proud of.You will be in our thoughts and prayers. RIP Jim.🙏
Nancy Breazier
6 Feb 2025Lana and Family,
I am thinking of you and praying for your comfort at this difficult time.
Thank you for all of your talent that you shared at LCM and also for my daughter Katie.
You are truly are a special friend.
Nancy Breazier and Family Omaha, NE
Lillian & John Wilder
7 Feb 2025We are so very sorry for the loss of Jim/ our neighbor here in FL on Sunshine Drive for a few years. Jim was always friendly with a calm manner. We send our condolences to Lana and her family. RIP Jim Isley
Dan Smithwick
8 Feb 2025Jim, a brother-in-law, was not just a relative (wife Faye’s brother, who passed in 2015), but a dear Christian friend. And a college mate for Faye and I, NDSU. Jim lived a life of being a witness for Christ. A very rare individual; both a relative and dear friend of many. I was also blessed in having Jim as my web-master, for my ministry, Nehemiah Institute. JIm, Lana and childen- a most wonderful family. Many great visits in Omaha, FL and then CO.