James C. "Jim" Kowaleski

James Carl "Jim" Kowaleski - A thank you letter to Jim, age 79, long-time resident of Mishicot, who died Tuesday, November 8, 2022.

From his wife, Shirley (your “pumpkin”), married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Luxemberg, WI on October 6, 1962 (60 years). Thank you for being my best buddy for all that time. You were the best husband, because of your unique character! You had a special way of making people happy and you were always thinking of others.

From your boys and their wives: Craig (Kay) Kowaleski and Curt (Lori) Kowaleski, thank you for the gift of life. You raised us to be good men and you taught us a special way to treat our wives by watching how you treated mom for all of those years. Our wives always appreciated the caring goodbye hugs and how you took such good care of mom. Jimmy, thank you for the beautiful sons that we can spend our lives with. You always treated us with love and kindness. We truly enjoyed the stories and the way you opened up your genuine self. You made us daughter-in-laws feel valued and even with your extremely high regard for your sons you made us feel that you thought we were worthy of them.

From your grandchildren, Cassandra Kowaleski, Zach Kowaleski, Kelsey (Mike) Ross and Allyson (Matt) Terrance; Thank you for the unconditional love you showed us through your excitement to see or talk to us. There is something special about a person whose whole day is made just because we called or sent a picture or extended any sort of minimal effort. You were our friend and always brought a smile to our faces. We cannot think of a time where you didn’t make us laugh, because you never took life too seriously, always finding a way to be silly. We treasure the 137 collective times you and grandma harmonized happy birthday to us, the way you would tell about our accomplishments with a little extra embellishment added, for exposing us to classic cinema masterpieces like “Tommy Boy” and for being the only other one to understand that Paris is the true capital of London (inside-family joke).

From your great-grandchildren, Harrison and Cooper Terrance and Jackson and Adalyn Ross; Thanks for all the great stories we are going to hear about you. You make our parents so happy when they talk about you and we appreciate how much you raved about us being your great-grandchildren.

From the rest of your extended family; Thanks for taking great care of our sister and for being an excellent big brother. From the lifelong friends that you developed through years of being involved in auto racing (from driving to pit crew to fan), working around 45 years at Schreiber Foods, and coaching basketball and driving bus for Manitowoc Roncalli thank you for always making yourself available and for always giving of your time for others. When Jim noticed a lack of opportunity in his area, he took the lead to get that corrected. He created the Bayshore Athletic Club serving as its first president when his boys needed a place to play basketball and baseball. Also, he helped create the girl’s softball program in Mishicot serving as a long-time coach, because the area was lacking in that opportunity.

Jim is a survivor of the Ice Bowl, a long-time member of Terry Bauldry’s pit crew and took joy in scattering pins on the bowling alley. After retiring he spent his time managing the Brewers bullpen moves from the comfort of his living room. And of course, was a lifelong fan of the Green Bay Packers. He would use his super strong hands to hold you in the “vice” or give you the best bear hug. He’d make sure the bird feeders were always full, give his beloved Shirley an extra scoop of ice cream, and over a lifetime repeatedly ignore her instructions - showing up again and again with a pet that she would soon shower with love.

Jim’s surviving siblings are Donald Patrick (Gail) Kowaleski, Mike Kowaleski, Linda Pagel, Terry Ver Haagh, and Mark (Rose) Kowaleski. Also surviving is “Cub’s” father-in-law, Richard Charles; and in-laws: Lyle (Mary) Charles, Leonard (Judy) Charles, Ricky (Chris) Charles, Terry (Don) De Broux and Bruce Charles. He is preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Florence (Smits) Kowaleski, his mother- in-law, Marie Charles; sister, Karen (Lou) Christensen and brother- in-law Ken “Corky” Ver Haagh.

A memorial mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Mishicot. Rev. Christian Raj will preside at the service, with burial to be held at a later date.

The family will greet relatives and friends at the church Tuesday morning from 9:30 until 10:45 a.m. There will be no Monday evening visitation.

The funeral mass will be live streamed on the parishes YouTube Channel: St Anne and Holy Cross Catholic Parishes beginning at 10:45 a.m.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.dejamartin.com

Lambert-Eckert Funeral Home of Mishicot is assisting the Kowaleski family with funeral arrangements.

The family wants to thank Promedica Hospice, Dr. Robert Gahl and Dr. Lynn Baatz for their wonderful care of our husband, dad and grandad.

Even though your boys always struggled with hugging you, telling you how much you meant to them and that they loved you, they are going to say it here for all eternity. We love you dad and thank you! We will take it from here.