GARNER — James M. “Jim” Callahan, 78, of Garner, passed away Sunday, September 13, 2026, at Prairie View Apartments in Garner.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, October 16, in the Sunset Room at Prairie View Apartments in Garner.
James Michael Callahan was born October 19, 1947, in Waseca, Minnesota, the son of Nicholas and Ione Tapp Callahan.
He graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1965 and went on to devote much of his adult life to serving his country.
Jim served during the Vietnam era and completed 27 years of military service before retiring from the U.S. Army.
On April 7, 1969, Jim married Mona McKnight in Waukegan, Illinois.
Military life took Jim, Mona and their family around the world. They raised their children while living in Thailand, Italy and Germany, as well as at various military bases throughout the United States.
Jim retired from the military in 1988. He and Mona then moved to Kentucky before relocating to Iowa in 1992 and later making their home in Arizona.
After Mona passed away in 2021, Jim returned to Iowa so he could be closer to his family.
Jim enjoyed fishing while living in Arizona and found plenty of enjoyment in the simple routines of everyday life. At Prairie View, he especially liked drinking coffee, playing cards with friends and making trips to the casino.
His decades of military service remained an important part of his life. Jim was a lifetime member of the Clear Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He is survived by his four children, Ramona Beiswanger of Mankato, Minnesota, Jamie (Gary) Bratten of Britt, Amy Callahan and her significant other, Keith Graczyk, of Garner, and Troy Callahan of Britt.
Jim is also survived by five grandchildren, Beth Beiswanger, Cody (Jenny) Bratten, Aaron Bratten, Dillon Bratten and Christopher Harris; great-grandchildren Luna, Tyler and Abigail Bratten; and three sisters, Rose Ann (Rodney) Olsen of Albert Lea, Ilene (Terry) Hammond of Clear Lake and Marie (Tim) Marden of Apple Valley, Minnesota.
He is also remembered by many nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mona; and his sister, Sharon Groe.
Memories and condolences may be shared through Cataldo Funeral Home.
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