James M. Kaiser

James ‘Jim’ M. Kaiser YORKVILLE: James ‘Jim’ M. Kaiser, 80, passed away on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at his residence. Jim was born on January 15,1932 in Snowball, Arkansas, the son of Harley Boyle and Winona (nee: Straw) Boyle (who died at childbirth) as James Clifford Boyle. Taken from Arkansas and raised by his uncle and aunt Loran (Bessie nee: Boyle) Knapp of Monmouth, Illinois, until aunt Bessie’s death from diabetes. He continued living with his uncle Loren, along with his brothers, Howard and Marion and sister, Ida, until Howard was reunited with his father (Harley) at age 14. Sister Ida went to live with Mr. And Mrs. Leroy Butler, an aunt and uncle. The Monmouth County Welfare Agency then removed Jim and Marion to foster homes, first with preacher Earl and Mrs. Borton of Monmouth and then to farmer Aden and Mrs. Wright of Monmouth, IL. At 8 years of age, Jim was adopted by Herbert and Ruth (nee: Montgomery) Kaiser of Milwaukee and his name was changed from James Clifford to James Marvin Kaiser. Jim is a graduate of Boys Technical High School in Milwaukee, where he was a member of National Honor Society, gym team and studied commercial art. He served in the United States Navy from 1948 to 1956. Jim worked at Square D Company in Milwaukee for seven years, in the machine shop and in testing. It was there that he met and married Patricia Merrie Wordell, on June 25, 1955. Together they raised 6 healthy children, Cheryl Ann, Claire Ellen, James Patrick, John Michael and Twins, Richard George and Robert Earl. Jim left Square D Company in 1957 to embark on a sales and management career, starting at Boehlke Chevrolet in Cedarburg, WI and including Don Hutson Chevrolet-Cadillac in Racine and Braeger Chevrolet in Milwaukee. Jim was preceded in death by daughter, Cheryl Ann, who was murdered in Dallas, Texas with in 2 weeks of moving there in 1979 and wife Patricia, who succumbed to Brain Cancer in 1987. Jim left the auto business then, and bought a small bar and grill in Adams, WI known as “Rank’s Bar”, which he operated for several years before returning to Racine. Feeling the need to remain active, he worked mostly part-time including 3 years as a driver and counter sales person for NAPA Auto Parts. In 1999 he moved to Hatch, New Mexico, with longtime acquaintance Marilyn M. (nee: Paeth) Leonhart who had lost her husband ‘Fritz’ due to cancer. They were married in Hatch, NM on August 28, 1999. Jim was the head cook at Cho-Cho’s Steak House and Lounge in Hatch, until being diagnosed with colon cancer, which with treatment and an operation was cured. Jim and Marilyn returned, once more, to Racine and undertook the management of Paul’s Motel in Sturtevant. After several years the 24/7 hours for 51 weeks a year became too much and they retired! Jim enjoyed gardening, fishing and working crossword puzzles. Surviving is his wife, Marilyn; children, Claire (Miles) Hauser, James (Raeanne) Kaiser, John (Dianna) Kaiser, Col. Richard (Heather) Kaiser, Col. Robert (Susan) Kaiser, Donna (Ron) Cannoles, Kathy (Don) Weimer, Brian (Stacy) Burdick and Floyd ‘Sonny’ Burdick; 18 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Alice (Delmar) Burman. He is further survived by other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at Sturino Funeral Home on Monday, January 30, 2012 at 11 a.m. Jim will be laid to rest, with full military honors, at St. Louis Cemetery in Caledonia. There will be a visitation at the funeral home on Sunday from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. and on Monday from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family would be appreciated. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Hospice Alliance for their loving care.

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James M. Kaiser

January 15, 1932 - January 25, 2012