The Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. on Friday evening at the church, followed by visitation with the family.

James Lowell Maher, son of Joseph Edward and Norma Irene (Holmes) Maher, was born on August 7, 1945 in Huntington Park, California. He entered into rest on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at the family farm northwest of Essex, Iowa at the age of 65.
At an early age Jim moved with his parents from California to the family farm at Essex. Jim began school at the Pierce Center country school at the age of five. He started his 8th grade year in the Essex Community School system, where he graduated with the Class of 1963.
Upon graduation from high school, Jim enlisted in the United States Navy in July of 1963 and honorably served until his discharge in 1966. Following his discharge from the Navy he returned to Essex.
On November 16, 1968, Jim was united in marriage to the love of his life, Ann Leahy at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Imogene, Iowa. Following their marriage they resided in Essex. To this union four children were born, Kathleen, Patrick, Shannon and Sarah.
In 1969, Jim went into partnership with his father and began farming part-time. In addition to this, he worked various carpentry jobs until taking a job with Eaton Corporation in Shenandoah in 1972. After 37 years with Eaton's, Jim retired in February of 2009. He continued to farm until the time of his death.
Jim enjoyed farming, hand fishing, playing cards and socializing with his friends. He was known as "Mr. Fix It", was a Chicago Cubs baseball fan and liked to watch his "stories", a. k. a. the "Bold and the Beautiful" and the "Young and the Restless". Jim was also quite an avid prankster with friends and especially his family.
Preceding Jim in death were his parents and mother and father-in-law, Alice and Edward Leahy. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Ann Maher of Essex, IA; their four children, Kathleen Sgourakis and her husband Gus of Omaha, NE, Pat Maher of Omaha, NE, Shannon Dorton and her husband Steve of Chicago, IL, and Sarah Maher of Omaha, NE; two granddaughters, Maeve and Brynna Sgourakis, very soon to be, baby Dorton; sister and brother-in-laws, Mary Leahy of Shenandoah, IA, Tom Leahy of Imogene, IA, Frank Leahy and wife Shirley of Malvern, IA, Rev. William P. Leahy, S. J. of Boston, MA, Bob Leahy and wife Colleen of Omaha, NE and Ellen Leahy Brookover and husband Mike of Omaha, NE; other relatives and a host of friends.