James Leroy "Jim" Ledger, age 84, of Washington, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at the University of Iowa Hospital after a short illness.

A private Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 6, 2021 with Fr. Dennis Martin officiating. Military honors with American Legion Post 29 will be held at St. James Catholic Church. Services will be livestreamed on the Jones & Eden Facebook page. Calling hours will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 5, 2021 at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Interment will be held at Elm Grove Cemetery. Memorials have been established for the Iowa Pork Foundation for Youth Scholarships and St. James Catholic Church. Online condolences may be sent for Jim's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com

Jim was born August 4, 1936 in a country home North of Fairfield, the son of Edward and Margaret (Peck) Ledger. He attended elementary school in the area and graduated from Fairfield High School in 1954. Jim served two years in the United States Army and an addition two years in the National Guard. He was united in marriage to Margaret E. Peiffer on September 5, 1957 when he was stationed in Ft. Lewis, Washington.

After his Army discharge, Jim began farming on his own south of Brighton. He was a dedicated grain and livestock farmer for 57 years. He moved to and began farming Northeast of Washington in 1965. Jim was active in local and state agricultural organizations and served on many boards including the National Pork Board, County Cattlemen's Board, County Fair Board as President of the Iowa Pork Producers. He also volunteered at the Iowa State Swine Test Station in Ames.

Jim was a faithful member of St. James Catholic Church. He was a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus and spent many hours working at the KC Hall in Washington. Jim was an avid Iowa Hawkeye Football fan, enjoyed camping at the Iowa State Fair and fishing in his farm ponds. He was involved with the WHO and WMT Tractorcades for many years. Jim loved to spend time with his family, especially his grand and great-grandchildren, cheering them on at sporting events, piano, band and choir concerts and swine and cattle shows.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Margaret Ledger of Washington, IA; son, Gary Ledger and wife Ann of Cumming, IA; daughter, Linda Leggat and husband Scott of Swisher, IA; son, Mark Ledger and friend Jennifer Morgan of Washington, IA; daughter, Cheryl Smith and husband Daryl of Ainsworth, IA; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Clarabell Vittetoe and husband Wilfred "Bill" of Washington, IA; brother, Virgil Ledger and wife Jan of East Pleasant Plain, IA; sister-in-law, Emily Ledger of Fairfield, IA; brothers-in-law, Dennis Sieren of Keota, IA and Gary Hubler of Durant, IA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three infant sons: James, John and Ralph; infant daughter, Lisa; brothers: Lester and wife Betty; Donald and wife Maxine; Elmer; Ernest and wife Roberta; and sisters: Maxine Hahn and husband Ardell; Dolores Sieren; and Geraldine Hubler.

To view the livesteam, please visit the Jones & Eden Funeral Home Facebook page using the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/Jones-Eden-Funeral-Home-119957608060665/
The video will appear at the start of the service.