James L. “Jake” Griggs, age 83, of Marengo, died Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, MN. Funeral Services: 10:30 A.M. Monday, February 21, 2011, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Marengo with Rev. Douglas Morton officiating.  Burial will be in the Marengo Cemetery with military honors conducted by Marengo American Legion Post #76. Visitation: 4 to 7 P.M. Sunday, February 20, 2011 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Marengo. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established. Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo is in charge of arrangements.

He is survived by his wife Beverly; two sons, Theodore Lee Griggs of Marengo, and Timothy Jay Griggs and wife Linda Anne of Marengo; three grandchildren, Trevor Griggs (Mary) of Cedar Rapids, Seth Griggs of Newton, and Trent Griggs of Marengo; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Sarah M. Griggs Simmons in 1996, and his step-father John Howell “Slim” Simmons.

James Lowell Griggs was born October 22, 1927 in Des Moines, Iowa. He received his education in the Iowa school system and served in the U.S. Army from 1946-47. Jake married Beverly Rose Hannon on July 1, 1949 at St. John’s Lutheran Parsonage, Marengo, Iowa. He was employed as a factory worker for several years. He then managed several service stations. Most recently he was employed as a rural mail carrier from which he retired in 1993.

Jake enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling and working. He called Bingo for many years at the Legion Hall.  He was a member of St. John’s dartball league, and enjoyed horseshoe pitching with the Whitey's Oil Team. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Marengo, a retired member of the Marengo Fire Department and a life member of the Marengo American Legion Post #76.