James J. Kundinger, (Jim) age 78, of Auburndale, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus as he passed away surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at Wells Nature View in Marshfield.

While the family farm has been and will always be considered his home, his family would like to extend sincere appreciation to the amazing staff at Wells Nature View and to the Ascension At Home team for their compassion and respect while caring for Jim with loving gentleness and dignity over the past several months.

On Friday, January 25, 2019 there will be visitation at Hansen Schilling Funeral Home (1010 East Veterans Parkway) in Marshfield from 4:00 p.m-7:00 p.m. (rosary at 4pm).  Jim’s memorial service, officiated by Father Logan, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at Hansen Schilling Funeral with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m.    At the conclusion of the memorial service, all guests are invited to join the processional to St Mary’s Cemetery in Auburndale for a burial service with military honors.  We will then continue celebrating this wonderful man’s life at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Auburndale, with a time of fellowship and a warm meal together.

The family extends their gratitude to those serving as his pallbearers: Peter Breu, Jr., Joel Anderson, Steve Kundinger, Jon Kundinger, Mathew Kundinger and Sam Strobel.

Jim was born April 11, 1940, the son of Joseph and Martha (Bayerl) Kundinger in Marshfield, WI.   He was raised on the farm in Auburndale; attending St Mary’s Catholic School for ten years and graduating from Auburndale High School in 1959.  Jim worked for Harmack Homes in Stratford, Victor Heeg Turkey Farms, Preway and the cranberry bogs.  He entered the Army in January 1960; starting in Fort Leonard Wood, MO, then moving to Fort Hood, TX before being stationed in Fort Benning, GA where he saluted President Dwight D. Eisenhower as his car drove past just a few feet in front of him.  Jim was then deployed to Germany to serve in the Berlin Crisis; the 7^th Infantry Division.  After his honorable discharge on March 22, 1962, Jim worked at Consoweld and Sampson Canning in Wisconsin Rapids.  He took his first trip out west in 1964 and on January 1, 1966 – he took over the family farm.

On November 4, 1967, he married the love of his life, Dolores (Miller) at St Michael’s Catholic Church in Hewitt.  Together they labored and enjoyed the journey of increasing their acres and doubling the size of the barn.  Together they evolved from milking with a step saver to the pipeline; from the party line phone to a mobile phone; from milking, cropping, fixing and fencing to the joys of retirement.   On November 4, 1967, these two became one and through the years have been blessed with the honor of becoming mother, father, grandparent and great-grandparent.

Jim was a member of Knight of Columbus, Family Dairies and St. Mary’s Holy Name Men.

In his spare time, he loved spending time with his family, friends, and farmers from all locations and backgrounds, listening to polka music and having a cold beer with others.  Being a jokester, he had fun referring salesmen to the neighbors.  He especially enjoyed hunting, stock car racing, horseback riding, watching tractor pulls and attending the Central WI State Fair, auctions, and grandchildren’s sporting and archery events.

Those that knew Jim best will miss his humor, mischievous grin, endearing laugh and his love of his family, farming and hunting.  They will miss his words of encouragement and sincerity.  Jim’s handshake was a solid contract; he was a man of his word.

There was never any doubt that “his girls” were always his priority.  However, there were times that one might question whether this meant his wife and daughters or his 70+ head of cattle.

Jim leaves behind his loving wife of 51 years:  Dolores;  his daughters:   Diane (Paul) Witzel of Marshfield and Dorothy (John) Hardesty of Arpin;  grandchildren:  Amanda (Kyle) Bleibaum of Marshfield and Randall Witzel (college in Milwaukee) and great-grandson:  Everett Bleibaum of Marshfield.  He is further survived by his siblings: Sister Dorothy Ann Kundinger; Patsy (Guy) Kust; Tom (Diana) Kundinger; Kay (Dave) Hoewisch and Betty Hocking; along with numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends.

Those greeting him in heaven include his parents, granddaughter Molly Hardesty and other family and friends.

Jim was truly an example of love, hard work and compassion.  He was a great listener, loved to “shoot the breeze” and never hesitated to help someone in need.  Therefore, the family is establishing the James J. Kundinger Memorial Fund and any monetary remembrances will be used to share Jim’s legacy and generosity with others.