James Edward Wieborg

James Edward Wieborg, 83, of La Mesa, California, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2026. A devoted family man, decorated Air Force officer, Vietnam War veteran, and esteemed golf course superintendent, Jim will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Born on March 28, 1942, in Ida Grove, Iowa, Jim spent his formative years in Odebolt. He was the son of Carl and Nora Wieborg and brother of Kathleen Sabaliauskas, all of whom preceded him in death. He pursued his passion for horticulture at Iowa State University, earning his degree and serving as president of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity.

After graduation, Jim answered the call to serve his country, joining the U.S. Air Force as an officer in 1966. Over a distinguished twenty-one year career, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He served during the Vietnam War and the Cold War, including a notable role within the Strategic Air Command (SAC) as a B-52 radar navigator and earned his way to a director of navigators at Barksdale AFB. He also spent time in the Air Force manning various nuclear missile silos and finished his career as a member of the inspector general team at SAC headquarters in Offutt AFB.

Upon retiring from the military in 1987, Jim and his family relocated to Palm Desert, California, where he began the second phase of his career. He applied his horticultural expertise at a number of prestigious golf courses—Mission Hills, The Citrus Club and The Plantation—offering rounds of golf on immaculate fairways and greens alongside the picturesque hills of the desert. He worked his way up from an entry-level groundskeeper all the way to golf course superintendent by the end of his amazing second full career.

Jim is lovingly remembered by his beloved wife of fifty-five years, Bonnie Jean Wieborg; his children, Scott Wieborg of Palm Desert, CA, Shelley Vanderhoofven of El Cajon, CA (wife of Ryan Vanderhoofven), and Matthew Wieborg of La Mesa, CA (husband of Stephanie Wieborg); and his three cherished grandchildren: Carter and Cody Vanderhoofven (children of Shelley and Ryan Vanderhoofven) and Sophia Wieborg (child of Matthew and Stephanie Wieborg).

A service to honor Jim's life will be held. Details are forthcoming.