Obit: Eggebrecht, James W. (1928 - 2010)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt

Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 
 

Surnames: Dix, Eggebrecht, Erdman, Etten, Nixdorf, Rindfleisch, Schilling 
 

----Source: The Tribune - Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wisconsin) Wednesday, March 31, 2010, online edition 
 

Eggebrecht, James W. (March 7, 1928 - March 29, 2010) 
 

James W. Eggebrecht, 82, Abbotsford was born into eternal life Monday, March 29, 2010.

Mr. Eggebrecht died at the Golden Living Center - Three Oaks. 
 

Mr. Eggebrecht was born March 7, 1928 in Marshfield, a son of Ervin and Clara (Erdman)

Eggebrecht. James’ mother died when he was 18 months old and Ervin married the former Julia Schilling, who raised him since he was four years old.

 
James graduated from Marshfield Senior High School in the class of 1946. Following graduation he enlisted in the US Navy. He received his training at the Great Lakes Naval Station, then attended Naval Electronics School in Memphis, Tennessee. He was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia and Jacksonville, Florida before going to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where he was stationed for two years. He then served in Newfoundland where he completed his tour.

 
Upon returning home he joined his father at Welcome Dairy, Rt. 2 Colby. In 1953, James bought the business from his father and with his children operated the dairy until the time of his retirement. His family continues to operate the dairy following in their father’s footsteps.

 
James was very active in community events and was a member and Past President of the Colby Lions Club, served two full terms of six years each on the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, from 1970-1975 and again from 1977-1982. During that time Jim also served three years as vice president of the Association in 1977, 1978 and 1979 as well as Secretary of the organization in 1981.

 
In 1985, the Association bestowed its highest honor, Life Member, on Mr. Eggebrecht for his service to the Board and the Championship Cheese Contests of the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association.

 
For more than a decade in the 1980s and into the 1990s, Jim was chairman of WCMA’s Championship Cheese Contest, establishing the rules and protocols that became the foundation of what was to become the largest cheese competitions in the world.

 
James and Mary Lou have enjoyed wintering in Florida and spending summers in Minocqua since his retirement. James is proud of the fact he taught his grandchildren the love of fishing on Squirrel Lake.

 
He was an avid sports fan, especially enjoying follow his children and grandchildren’s sporting events and cheering them on.

 
In his spare time he enjoyed being a HAM Radio operator, he also golfed, bowled and hunted.

 
He is loving survived by his wife, Mary Lou Eggebrecht, Abbotsford; children, Jerry (Tari) Eggebrecht, Morrison, Colo., Terry (Cyndi) Eggebrecht, Medford, Brian Eggebrecht, Colby, Lea (Debbie) Eggebrecht, Abbotsford, Claire Eggebrecht, Pittsville, and Karen (Dean) Rindfleisch, Stratford. Grandchildren, Collin, Paige, Kendra, Matthew, Dustin, Adam, Sara, James, Mary, Amanda and Samuel further survive Mr. Eggebrecht.

 
A memorial service will be held 4:00 p.m. Thursday April 1, 2010 at the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home, Abbotsford. The Rev. Kenneth A. Dix will preside. Connie Etten will provide special music with Gloria Nixdorf serving as soloist.  
 

A time of visitation will be held from 2-4:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Following the memorial service everyone is invited to a celebration of life gathering at Allison’s Steak House, Abbotsford, for a time of sharing of memories, food and fellowship.

 
Those wishing to make and expression of sympathy in Mr. Eggebrecht’s memory are encouraged to do so to the charity of their choice.

 
Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.