James Daniel “Jim” Vought, age 82 of Barron, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 25, 2023.

He was surrounded by his family, and passed after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Jim was a loving and devoted husband and father, brother and son.

Jim was born on November 21st, 1940 in Bruce, to Merlin and Naomi Vought. He grew up as one of 6 children. After graduating high school in 1959, he had a variety of jobs, including the Farmer’s Store in Chetek, painting water towers, and Jerome Foods before settling into his lifelong work in flooring. He worked for Wesco in Sparta and Indianhead Carpet in Barron. In 1994, he started his own business, Jim’s Floor Service.

1959 was an important year for Jim. Not only did he graduate from high school but that summer he met the love of his life at church camp. Nancy Stone captured his eye and his heart, and they were married on September 3rd, 1960. Their love has been a beacon of strength and an example of commitment and joy to all who know them.

Jim and Nancy had five children who kept them busy with sports, pom pons, 4-H, church activities and music. They enjoyed snowmobiling, camping and spending time on the water. Jim patiently taught friends and family members to water ski behind his Glastron Carlson boat, and spent hours on the weekends pulling skiers on Beaver Dam Lake in Cumberland. Jim and Nancy took boating trips down the Mississippi with friends to LaCrosse. They traveled many, many miles attending their grandchildren’s concerts, games, matches and meets, which took them from La Crosse to River Falls and many stops in between. They eventually purchased a camper and spent many years hosting family and friends at Camp Brigadoon in Cumberland. Jim and Nancy and their children owned and ran the Nielsen’s Family Restaurant in Chetek from 1976 - 1981.

Jim was a man of deep and steadfast faith, and served our Lord as a trustee, a volunteer and on many committees at both the Free Methodist Church and later at the First United Methodist Church in Barron. He was a craftsman and a handyman, and loved building and fixing things, both in his work and for his family. No project was too big or too small- with the help of his children, he even built the family room addition to their house on the Old Museum Road in Barron.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of nearly 63 years, Nancy (nee Stone); his children, Kevin (Robin) of Hudson, Brenda (Scott Visger) of Rice Lake, Tim of Rice Lake, Darin of Barron and Nathan of Haugen; his grandchildren, Kassandra, Mathew, Nicole, James (Jayme), Corissa (Cameron), Cody (Kala), Kolton, and Zachary; 10 great-grandchildren; his brothers, Merlin (Janet) of Rice Lake and David (Christine) of Green Bay, as well nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss his bright smile and easy laugh.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Merlin Sr. and Naomi; his twin sisters, Norma and Naomi, and his sister, Lois.

A Celebration of Jim’s Life will be held on Saturday, September 2nd at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Barron. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. A brief service of interment will be held at Wayside Cemetery in Barron. A luncheon at the church will follow the burial.

Memorials can be made in Jim’s name to the First United Methodist Church of Barron, Marshfield Medical Center Hospice in Rice Lake, Alzheimer’s Association of Barron County and Daybreak of Barron or Rice Lake.

Arrangements are being handled by Rausch and Steel Funeral Home in Barron.

Last Update: Aug 29, 2023 12:38 pm CDT