Jim Kaderabek

3/21/1937 - 4/11/2026

 James Karl “Jim” Kaderabek was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Karl and Dorothy Kaderabek. 

 The grandson of Swedish and Bohemian immigrants, his childhood was filled with extended family gatherings, hunting the Iowa cornfields, fishing along the Des Moines river, and family trips every summer to “fish camp” in Canada. 

 He spent many days with his veterinarian grandfather, Antone Kaderabek. Jim talked fondly of those trips with him to the serum plant where hog vaccine research was taking place in Fort Dodge. 

 Jim graduated from Fort Dodge High School and kept in contact with his high school buddies until his death, often reminiscing about the innocent pranks they pulled, snakes left in pants pockets much to his mother’s horror, and the “duck hunter’s mass,” defined as early morning and no more than 30 minutes, after which he and his friends took off hunting.

 He attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, earning a degree in Forestry. While at college, he often said he was pursuing a degree in “Pitch,” a card game that took precedence over studying, until he met Micki through mutual friends. 

 A lifelong, dedicated Cyclone fan, Jim carried his love for Iowa sports with him across every state he lived in. Although Jim and Micki attended rival schools, they fell quickly in love, marrying on Sept. 6, 1958.

 Jim’s professional career was defined by hard work and a steady rise through the ranks. He began his career in Kansas on the railroad inspecting lines and ties, where his daughters, Jill and Jody, were born. Soon after that, he found his true calling as a forester with the U.S. Forest Service, relocating to Big Creek, Calif., a rugged, remote town in the granite where he was a front line wildland firefighter, as well as cruising timber sales. His son, Todd, was born in Fresno, Calif., during their Big Creek adventure. Many lifelong Forest Service friends were made in the close-knit community.

 In 1967, the family was transferred to the Big Bend Ranger District on Donner Summit, where they experienced record-breaking snowfall. The family quickly adapted to the winters and discovered a love for skiing. Jim especially enjoyed cross-country skiing and ice fishing, using seal skins on snowshoes to trek up the hills with friends.

 In 1969, he was transferred to the Sierraville Ranger District, where Jim was the Fire Management Officer, managing wildland firefighting on the District. He went on to be the Range Manager, working with local ranchers on their cattle and sheep allotments. He had a good working relationship with the ranchers in a time when collaboration was standard procedure and the Forest Service still rode horseback to assess the range ground. He also served there as Interim District Ranger. 

 In 1978, Jim was promoted to District Ranger in Adin, Calif., a few years later transferring to the Devils Garden District in nearby Canby. His collaborative personality built strong relationships with staff who remained his friends throughout his retirement. 

 During his tenure with the Modoc National Forest, he was recognized regionally for his work to recover and conserve threatened, endangered, and sensitive species, improving local wetlands and nesting habitat for wetland birds.

 In 1998, Jim and Micki retired to Weiser, Idaho, where they enjoyed grandkids coming over after school, family gatherings for holidays, bridge parties with friends, gardening, canning, and, of course, hunting and fishing. 

 Jim possessed a practical knowledge of the land, with a love for fishing that was as deep as his love for gardening. He was a die-hard fisherman who could be found on the water rain or shine, and his garden was a constant point of pride and joy. 

 He and Micki were true partners in adventure, traveling to all 50 states, as well as a six-week camping trek through Alaska, a trip to Ireland, and annual fishing trips to Canada that grew from a traditional men’s outing into a shared passion for the two of them.

 Jim’s love for his family was marked by a steady and reliable presence. Whether it was traveling across the country to cheer at a volleyball game, encouraging Micki on at a run, volunteering at numerous track meets and baseball tournaments, or tagging along to the latest grandkid’s activity, Jim was there. He was particularly patient sharing his love for the water, spending countless hours on the bank or in his boat teaching three generations how to cast, bait a hook, and reel in a fish. He was a constant in the daily lives of those he loved, always just a quick phone call away for a weather check, expert gardening advice, or simply a listening ear.

 He was a devoted Catholic and a tireless volunteer for St. Agnes parish. He quietly served for years on the Parish Council as well as managing the church finances with the same meticulous care he gave to the forest and his garden.

 Jim passed away April 11, 2026, at the age of 89, now reunited with his beloved wife of 66 years, Micki, who preceded him in death in July 2025. He was a loving caregiver in her battle with dementia, whether it was keeping the meals cooked or helping her play Bingo at Edgewood. He spent every afternoon he could with her at Edgewood, while fighting his own cancer battle.

 Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Karl and Dorothy Kaderabek; his wife, Micki; his son-in-law, Ted Hermanson; nephews Tim McClimon, Jay Morgan, and Kevin Morgan; and brothers-in-law Ron Morgan, Dan McClimon, Rick Ricketts, Max Koeper, Dave Wright, and Mike Shara. 

 He is survived by his daughters Jill (Jerome) Grandi of Weiser, and Jody Hermanson of Durham, North Carolina; son Todd (Katherine) Kaderabek of Asheville, North Carolina; his sisters Ann Koeper and Polly Wright; brother-in-law Marty McClimon; and sisters-in-law Pat Ricketts, Pat McClimon, Dyan (Scott) McClimon, and Maureen Shara. Jim was a proud grandfather to Odo (Anna) Grandi, Sally Grandi, Libby (David) Johns, Thames (Ty) Higginbotham, and Miller (Emily) Kaderabek, and a cherished great-grandfather to Ava Grandi, Madison Johns, Hayes Grandi, Silas Johns, Della Grandi, Tripp Grandi, and Robert Higginbotham. He also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews. 

 A Rosary Vigil will be held at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Weiser, Idaho, on Friday, May 8 at 7 p.m., with a Funeral Mass and burial on Saturday, May 9 at 11 a.m. An online viewing link for the funeral mass can be found under Jim’s obituary at altogetherfuneral.com.

 We are forever grateful for the compassionate care from Dr. Pierson and Janelle Wright, the St. Al’s Ontario infusion staff, (Tawna, Jodi, Nicki, Erika, Val), Angel Wings, and Ancora Hospice for their support. We would also like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the Edgewood Assisted Living staff for their compassionate care of Dad in his final days, treating him as if he were their own family member. The Edgewood staff are amazing, loving caregivers who work to make every day good. 

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the St. Agnes Food Bank Charity Fund in Jim’s memory.