GOTTFREDSEN, James E., age 76

Died: Tuesday, September 25th, 2018

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 28, 2018 at St. Olaf Catholic Church with Father James Kurzynski officiating

Visitation: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home and also one hour prior to Mass at church

Interment: Calvary Cemetery, Town of Washington, Wisconsin 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests
donations be made to either:
St. Olaf Parish http://saintolafparish.org
or St. Francis Food Pantry
http://www.stfrancisfoodpantry.org/donate/

On Tuesday, September 25, 2018, James "Jim" E. Gottfredsen, loving husband to Jeanne Ann and father of five sons, passed away peacefully at the age of 76 at his home. 

Jim was born on June 22, 1942 in Kenosha, WI to the late Edward and Kathleen (LaMere) Gottfredsen and graduated from Bishop Garrigan High School in Algona, Iowa. On January 3, 1962 he married Jeanne Ann Frideres in Algona, Iowa.

From 1960 to 1968, Jim served in the United States Coast Guard. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in 1971 and his law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1974. He was the city attorney in Darlington, WI where he also worked at a private law firm. For 23 years, Jim served as an Administrative Law Judge for the State of Wisconsin. He was well known for conducting exceptional hearings and was highly regarded by his peers.

Jim was an active member of St. Olaf Catholic Parish since 1976. He belonged to the People of Praise Prayer group in Eau Claire and the Fire of the Spirit Prayer group in St. Petersburg, Florida.

He especially enjoyed spending time with his family. Jim also loved spending time at the Lake Chippewa Campground on the Chippewa Flowage where he enjoyed relaxing, fishing and golfing with family and friends. In the winter, Jim and Jeanne traveled to their winter home in Gulfport, Florida where they enjoyed the warm weather, ocean views and visits from family and friends. As his COPD progressed, he enjoyed watching TV - especially the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers and Brewers games.

Jim is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jeanne; sons, James Jr. (Betty), Kevin (Cindy), Timothy (Brenda), Patrick (Elizabeth) and Christopher (Denise); grandchildren, Amanda, Ryan, Kelly, Mikayla, Nicole, Tyler, Landon, Gabe, Daryl, Kyle, Alyssa, Trista, David, Emerald, Chayton, Dane and Clara; great grandchildren, Lyla, Walter, Ashton, Brenna, Cambria, Randy, Kaylee, Dominic and Lexi; brothers, Michael (Pat), John and Thomas; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.