James D. "Jim" a/k/a "Jim O." Oelhafen, 66, of the town of Wayne, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 23, 2014.
He was born on April 9, 1947, in West Bend, the son of the late John A. and Therese J. (Vogt) Oelhafen, and on May 25, 1968, he was united in marriage to Carol Ann Schmitt at St. Kilian Catholic Church in St. Kilian.
Jim was a proud graduate of St. Anthony grade school and a 1965 graduate of Kewaskum High School.
Jim was a devout member of the Christian faith. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Kewaskum, a honorary member of the Kohlsville Fire Department, a charter member of the Kohlsville Kruisers Snowmobile Club, charter president of Kewaskum FFA Alumni, a member of the XYZ Card Club and a former member of the Kewaskum School Board.
After retiring from dairy farming he enjoyed working as a truck driver, a driver's education instructor as well as raising and selling high quality beef steers.
He enjoyed driving tractors, making wood, helping his sons with their farm work, playing sheepshead, racing and watching sports - both professional and local Kewaskum teams. Jim was an excellent "farm fabricator" and could weld and/or repair most anything all while cooking on the grill. Jim was fondly thought of as the family "grill master". He also had a special bond with his cousins and enjoyed spending time with them.
Jim will always be remembered for his handlebar mustache along with an amazing memory and the ability to remember every date, phone number, address and so much more. (Both useful and useless information alike.)
Jim had a great sense of humor, a light-hearted look at life, a gentle smile and hearty laugh. His greatest joy was his children and especially his beloved grandchildren whom he enjoyed helping with their beef animals for the County Fair.
Jim was always willing to help another. In that respect Jim's family donated his cornea tissue so that someone else might have the gift of sight. He will be deeply missed by his wife, his family and by all who knew him.
Those Jim leaves behind to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 45 years, Carol; two sons, Brian (Shelly) Oelhafen and Brad (Heather) Oelhafen both of the town of Wayne; four grandchildren, Kayla, Cody, Matthew and Zachary Oelhafen; a sister, Cindy (John) Shaske of the town of Wayne; two sisters-in-law, Beverly Oelhafen of the town of Wayne and Debbie (Jeff) Watzlawick of West Bend; his favorite Aunt Lillian Oelhafen of the town of Wayne, and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his dear daughter, Brenda Oelhafen; a brother, John N. "Hunzey" Oelhafen and his father and mother-in-law, Paul and Burnette Schmitt.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Jim was held at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 28, 2014, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Kewaskum. Father Edwin Kornath and Father Arul Ponnaiyan concelebrated and burial was at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday in St. Kilian Catholic Church Cemetery in St. Kilian.
The Oelhafen family greeted relatives and friends at the church on Friday from 2:30 p.m. until the time of Mass.
Memorials to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Kohlsville Fire Department, Kewaskum Youth Scholarship (KEYS) or Washington County 4-H Trust are appreciated.
The Miller Funeral Home in Kewaskum was entrusted with Jim's arrangements.