Obit: Swiersz, James L. (1939 - 2017)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Benik, Fuhrmann, Pothireddy, Schnell, Swiersz

----Source: The Nash-Jackan Funeral Home (Ladysmith, WI) 12/13/2017

Swiersz, James L. (1 SEP 1939 - 10 DEC 2017)

James L. Swiersz 78, died on Sunday; December 10th, 2017 at his home in Weyerhaeuser surrounded by his family.

Jim is survived by his life partner Teri Benik; his 3 children: Brian of Madison, Art & Angie of Huntley, IL and Bernadette & Matt Schnell of Madison; 8 grandchildren: Sophia, Olivia, Jack, Emma, Noah, Brett, Nolan and Henry as well as Teri's children: Scott & Katie, Joe & Brittny. Leann & Shawn and her grandchildren: Josh, Tim, Matthew, Brooklyn, BJ, Brecken and Sydney. Jim is also survived by a brother Joe and his wife Liz.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday; December 14th, 2017 at 11:00 AM at SS. Peter & Paul Church in Weyerhaeuser with Fr. Inna Pothireddy and Deacon Tom Fuhrmann officiating. Burial will be in the SS. Peter & Paul Church Cemetery with Military Burial Rites provided by the Weyerhaeuser VFW.

The Swiersz Family will receive friends at The Nash - Jackan Funeral Home in Bruce after 4:00 PM on Wednesday and also for an hour prior to Mass on Thursday at the Church.

http://www.nash-jackan.com

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----Source: The Ladysmith News (Ladysmith, WI) 12/11/2017

James Swiersz, of Weyerhaeuser, a beloved father and grandfather, avid outdoorsman and proud Army veteran, passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was surrounded by his entire family – his life partner, Teri Benik, his children, Brian, of Madison, Art (Angie), of Huntley, Ill. and Bernadette (Matt) Schnell, of Madison, and his eight grandchildren, Sophia, Olivia, Jack, Emma, Noah, Brett, Nolan and Henry as well as Teri’s children Scott (Katie), Joe (Brittny) and Leann (Shawn) and her grandchildren, Josh, Tim, Matthew, Brooklyn, BJ, Brecken and Sydney.

A perfect day to Jim was spent enjoying some of life’s simple pleasures: hunting, gardening, riding ATVs, picking blackberries and making maple syrup, always with his family at his side. He cherished preparing his mother’s favorite recipes like Galumpkis and strawberry cake.
Born on Sept. 1, 1939 to Henry and Helen Swiersz, Jim was the fourth of five children. Growing up in Weyerhaeuser, he helped on the family farm and attended Weyerhaeuser High School, where he played on the football team. In 1963, Jim was drafted into the Army and served in Alaska.

Both professionally and in his everyday life, Jim had a legendary work ethic. For 26 years, he was “Iron Jim” a station engineer at Nabisco in Chicago, the guy you called when something broke down. He never turned down a shift so he could raise his family in Crestwood, Ill., send his kids to Catholic schools and make sure they were well provided for.

After he retired, he moved back to the north-woods to spend as much time outdoors as he could. He shared his golden years with Teri, was active in the VFW and cherished every visit from their children and grandchildren.

Jim, a stubborn Polish man, threw everything he could at his nasty disease — mesothelioma. One solace for the lifelong Cubs fan was living long enough to see the “Lovable Losers” finally win the World Series.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Hank, Bob, Dorothy, and Ray Swiersz.
He is survived by his brother, Joe.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 14 at SS. Peter & Paul Church in Weyerhaeuser with Fr. Inna Pothireddy and Deacon Tom Fuhrmann officiating. There will be a visitation after 4 p.m. on Wednesday at Nash-Jackan Funeral Home in Bruce and also at the church on Thursday for an hour prior to the Mass.

Burial will be in SS. Peter & Paul Church Cemetery with Military Burial Rites provided by The Weyerhaeuser VFW.