James L. (Jim) Abshier of Sioux City passed away on 12/13/2023 He was born on December 17, 1941, in Jacksonville, Florida.  Although born in Florida his parents moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa, within months of Jim's birth and he grew up in Council Bluffs.  He attended schools in Council Bluffs and  graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School, in 1960.  He attended college at the University of Omaha for one year and then transferred to the University of Iowa where he obtained his Bachelor's degree in 1964.  He entered law school at the University of Iowa and received his Doctor of Juris degree in 1968.   He remained a hawk fan all his life.  While in law school he met and married his wife Mary Ellen Brown in 1967.   They were married for 56 years living most of their lives in Sioux City.  They were blessed with  four daughters, Carol, Peggy, Lisa and Jennifer.

After his graduation from law school, Jim practiced law in Council Bluffs for four years.  In 1972 he launched  a 35 year career in municipal law.  He was an assistant city attorney in Council Bluffs and Sioux City.  He served as city attorney in Davenport, Iowa, for 3 years and as city attorney
in Sioux City for over 31 years retiring from the Sioux City Legal Department in 2008.  During those 34 years he attended over 4,000 council meetings and meetings of various boards and commissions.

Jim was a member of the Iowa Municipal Attorneys Association where he held many offices including serving as the President of the Association in 1983-84. He was a member of the Woodbury County Bar Association and served as its President in 1993-94.  Jim represented the City of Sioux City in the International Municipal Attorneys Association, a national organization providing services to local government attorneys.  He held every major office in the Association including the office of the President in 2006-07.  He was only the second municipal attorney from Iowa to serve as President of the Association in its 86 year history.  He was a member of the Morning Optimist Club and served as its President in 1995-96.  He was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church of Sioux City.

He and Mary were big fans of the entertainers and shows in Branson going every year until Covid hit but they quickly resumed in 2021.  For many years they enjoyed cruising in the Caribbean with their favorite country music entertainers.  Jim enjoyed woodworking, gardening and photography.  He showed pictures at the Iowa State Fair and the Clay County Fair.  He also enjoyed creating several wood projects for his home and he finished off the basement of his homes. Jim was an avid reader and was never not reading a book of one kind or another.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; daughters Carol Crabe of Atlanta, Georgia;  Peggy Duran of Leavenworth, Kansas; Lisa (Todd) Neddermeyer of Sioux City; and Jennifer (Tony) Swick of South Sioux City, Nebraska; grandchildren Erika Crabe of Connecticut, Christopher Duran of Leavenworth, Kansas and Melissa Kirby of Atchison, Kansas; Cody Neddermeyer (Emily) of  Iowa City, Iowa, and and Tyler Neddermeyer of Sioux City;  Dalton (Allesha) Swick of South Sioux City, Nebraska, Haley Swick of South Sioux City, Nebraska; a brother, Paul (Margit) Abshier of Council Bluffs, and three great grandchildren Kamdyn, Kingston and Kora Swick of South  Sioux City, Nebraska.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Lyle and Louise Abshier, an infant brother, Charles Abshier; and a special friend, Joseph Bottomly.  Per Jim's wishes the body was cremated and no services are planned.  Please send any memorials to Grace United Methodist Church of Sioux City.