James Bergkamp

James Bergkamp Sr., 82, of Ames formerly of Webster City died Sunday, March 15, 2026 at Mary Greeley Medical Center. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 28, 2026 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Webster City. A rosary followed by a scripture service will begin at 4:00 p.m., continuing with visitation until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2026 at Foster Funeral & Cremation Center.

James Leroy Bergkamp, son of Fred and Elizabeth (May) Bergkamp, was born April 3, 1943 in Cheney, Kansas. He graduated from Andale High School in 1961, attended Eastern New Mexico College from 1962 – 1963 where he played football. He later graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Animal Science and received his master’s degree from Iowa State University where he managed the ISU meat lab and was coach for the meat judging team. Jim married Jane Helton, and the couple later divorced. In 1973, he bought a meat locker in Webster City and started Webster City Custom Meats. Jim lived on an acreage where he raised Angus Cattle and showed Paint Horses. In 2007, he was united in marriage to Judith Teubert at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Webster City. Upon his retirement from Custom Meats, Jim and Judy moved to Ames.

He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Judy of Ames; his children, James Bergkamp Jr. of West Des Moines, Jill (Robert) Trausch of Ames, Jerry Bergkamp of Kansas; Judy’s children, Gregory Teubert of Gilbert, Lisa (Steve) Allen of Boston, MA, Jane (Eric) Malecha of Lonsdale, MN; 15 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and sister, Mary Annuschat of Wichita, KS.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents and nine siblings.

He was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Webster City and served on many committees. Jim was also a member of St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and St. Cecilia Catholic Church of Ames. He enjoyed going to church, sports and dinner with friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School.