James E. Krist

West Des Moines

Jamie Krist, 56, passed peacefully with his family by his side on March 31, 2015 at Methodist Medical Center. Jamie was born to Donald and Marilyn Krist of West Des Moines, IA on February 25, 1959. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Lutheran Church of Hope, West Des Moines, IA, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, April 6, at Lutheran Church of Hope.

In 1993, Jamie founded Krist Insurance, a multiline independent insurance agency in West Des Moines. His leadership, technical knowledge, exceptional business mind and tenacity created the successful business it is today. Clients who worked with Jamie got more than an insurance agent; overtime, they gained a trusted business partner and even a friend, who made work fun. Jamie’s employees were members of his extended family, and he took pride in watching them flourish.

Jamie was a leader in the insurance industry. He was a speaker and member of the National Faculty Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC), who trained and mentored agents in insurance for 28 years. He received the Presidential Citation from the Independent Insurance Agents of Iowa, September 2012.

Jamie graduated from Valley High School; University of Iowa BBA, Financial Economics in 1982; and Drake University, MBA Graduate Business in 1985. He was president of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, a Beta Rho Chapter member and on the Inter-fraternity Council. Jamie was proud of his alma mater and loved cheering on his Iowa Hawkeyes.

He contributed to his community, as a member of Rotary of Des Moines and Moingona Masonic Lodge No. 633, chairman of the National Technical Affairs Committee and board member of the Independent Insurance Agents of Iowa. He enjoyed his time integrating his passion for hockey while giving back as a board member of the Des Moines Capitals Hockey Club 2006-2008 and 2014.

Jamie was a dynamic story teller with a contagious laugh. People gravitated to him in a room and were inspired by his zest for life. Get-togethers with Jamie were guaranteed to be a good time, as he loved to entertain and tell jokes. He took a genuine interest in the lives of those he met and encouraged them on their own journeys. He never met a stranger.

Jamie enjoyed a variety of interests, some of which included new technologies, fishing, golfing, motorcycle riding, watching his kids’ sports, swimming, skiing, playing the drums and building a business. Jamie's daily walks were accompanied by his four dogs Blue, Jeter, Josie and Maggie.

Jamie was a successful man. Of all his accomplishments, not one took precedence over the pride he held for his kids. Nothing was more fulfilling than his role as a dad. He was so proud of his three sons, and everything that makes them each unique. He never missed an opportunity to share a tale about their latest homerun, hockey goal, or good grade. The place didn’t matter, it was being with his wife and boys that created some of his best memories; although the ballpark, hockey rink and their time together traveling was where you could find him most in his element.

Jamie was looking forward to celebrating his 30th wedding anniversary with his wife, Lisa, in May. However, if you asked Jamie, they were celebrating their 40th. He wanted credit for the years he invested while they were dating. Jamie and Lisa made quite the team in their marriage – both at home raising the boys and at work building a business.

Jamie is survived by his wife, Lisa Brubaker-Krist;, children, AJ (Gracie), Michael and Tanner all of West Des Moines; sister, Lisa Ann Krist of New York; sister-in-law, Jennifer Risolvato; nephew, Zach Holtman; niece, Gabrielle Risolvato; and father-in-law, Larry Brubaker (Tami), also of West Des Moines.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting memorials be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.