Obit: Hauser, James M. (1930 - 2013)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Hauser, Myers, Engeldinger, Specht, Duerr, Mertins, Mateer, Kind-Keppel, Dittner

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 02/14/2013

Hauser, James M. (15 AUG 1930 - 11 FEB 2013)

James M. Hauser age 82, of Unity, passed away Monday, February 11, 2013 at his residence in the Town of Hull. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, February 16, 2013 at Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Colby. Father Dan Hackel will officiate. A visitation will be held Saturday, February 16, 2013 from 9:30 AM until the time of services at the church in Colby. Burial will follow the service at Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Colby.

James Milford Hauser was born August 15, 1930 in Colby, WI to Jake and Elsie (Myers) Hauser. He was a 1948 graduate of Colby High School and attended the UW Madison.

James and Bernadette Engeldinger were united in marriage on June 30, 1955 at Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Colby.

James started working at F.W. Lulloff Furniture Store in Colby in 1950 where he laid flooring and helped at the funeral home.

He enlisted in the US Army in 1951, served in Germany and was discharged in 1953. James returned to Colby and continued to work for Lulloff's. He began hobby farming in 1968 and started working at Land O' Lakes in Spencer in 1970. He retired in 1993.

James was very active at Saint Mary's Parish in Colby, where he served in the Lay Ministry program, doing communion services at the church, local nursing homes and for the shut-ins. He was active in the RCIA and Focus Programs and was a part of the La Crosse TEC program and a volunteer at the Oxford prison.

He enjoyed spending time with his family and fishing with his children and friends. He was always very proud of his children and grandchildren and all of their accomplishments. He will always be remembered as a fun loving guy and sharing a joke. He was also known as "Farmer Jim" with his hardy handshake.

James is lovingly survived by his wife of 57 years; Bernadette of Unity, 8 children; Bryan (Kathy) Hauser of Merrill, Gayle (Robert) Specht of Marshfield, Bruce Hauser of Wausau, Amy Duerr of Marshfield, Scott (Nancy Mateer) Hauser of Colby, Wendy (Jim Wilt) Mertins of Cumberland, Joel (Heather) Hauser of Zumbrota, MN, Todd (Heather Kind-Keppel) Hauser of Decatur, IL, 20 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. He is further survived by a sister; Beverly (John) Dittner of Marshfield.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter; Kay at birth.

In lieu of flowers, James's family has asked memorials be given to Monsignor Malik's Education Fund at Saint Mary's in Colby

The family would like to thank the Ministry Health Home Hospice staff for their extraordinary care of Jim, enabling him to stay at home with his family.

The Maurina Schilling Funeral Home is assisting the Hauser family with funeral arrangements.

Online condolences can be made to www.maurinaschilling.com