James L. Wiedrich

James L. Wiedrich, age 83, of Burlington, WI, died peacefully in his sleep in the comfort of his home on Saturday, April 3, 2022. Son of the late Roy and Margaret (Schultz) Wiedrich, Jim was born on the Fourth of July, 1938, in Illinois. In 1956, Jim joined the Army Reserves. At Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, Jim did maintenance and mechanics for trucks at the base. In 1958, he met the love of his life, Jean Sepanek on a blind date and later that year the couple was married in Wheatland, WI on November 8, 1958. The couple moved to a farmhouse outside of town in Burlington, where they raised their family and Jim worked on the crop farm.

Always excellent at fixing and building things, Jim built a 4-seat bicycle for his children and a large teeter totter with tractor seats and a huge tire in the center so that it could be moved around the property. Jim enjoyed cars, hunting, playing Bingo and the lottery, trips to Vegas, and was on a bowling league with his wife, Jean, for many years. The couple also teamed up in Beloit where Jim was a referee for wrestling matches and Jean was the announcer.  Jim and Jean also enjoyed taking the family on road trips in their 31-foot RV. Jim was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose, Lodge #691 in McHenry, IL.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Jean Wiedrich; his children, Joan (Scott) Klabunde of Genoa City, WI, Jane (Nick) Dulisse of St. Augustine, FL, James Jr. (Terry) Wiedrich of Westgate, IA, Jenny (Ralph) McManus of Burlington, WI, and Jeffrey (Betsy) Wiedrich of Galion, OH; 15 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; siblings, Richard Wiedrich of Sumner, IA, Marge Peterson of Pewaukee, WI, Pat (Jerry) Nation of Springfield, IL, Nancy Davis of Marshfield, WI, and Wally (Becky) Wiedrich of Iron River, MI. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Margaret Wiedrich.

A memorial service with military honors will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 4:00PM at 620 Legion Dr., Twin Lakes, WI. Friends and family are invited to a visitation from 2:00PM until the service at 4:00PM. Private interment will take place at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove, WI. Online condolences can be made at haaselockwoodfhs.com. Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Home and Crematory of Twin Lakes is honored to assist the Wiedrich family.