White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

OELWEIN – Amanda Lou (Straw) James, 59 years old, of Oelwein, Iowa, and formerly of Independence, Iowa, died December 8, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa, following a brief battle with cancer.

Celebration of Life will be 10:00 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Leo’s Generations Lounge, 29 S Frederick Ave, Oelwein, IA 50662.

Amanda was born June 15, 1966, in the city of Independence, Iowa, to Richard and Maxine (Schwer) Straw. She was the third youngest of four siblings. Amanda attended Independence Schools, graduating with the class of 1984, before studying horticulture at Ellsworth Community College. In 1985, she was united in marriage to Todd Huinker. They had two children, Tristan and Preston. They later divorced. In 2005, Amanda married Aaron James. They had two children, Ayden and Aspen.

Amanda enjoyed the holiday season, gathering with her family, and will be dearly missed by those who loved and knew her.

She is survived by her husband Aaron James of Oelwein; one brother Mark (Beth) Straw of Center Point Iowa; her four children; Tristan Westpfahl of Oelwein, Preston (Ivy) Huinker of Oelwein, Ayden (Ali) James of Ames, Iowa, and Aspen James of Oelwein; also, one grandson Sebastian Huinker; and her beloved dog Baron.

Amanda was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Maxine Straw; as well as her sisters, Regina Reedy and Beverly Callaghan.

Condolences may be placed at www.White-MtHope.com.
White Funeral Home, Independence, Iowa, is assisting the family.