James Ervin “Jim” Wikstrom, passed away at his home on Wednesday October 16, 2024. He was 87 years old.

Jim was born to Ervin and Leora Wikstrom in Pontiac, Michigan on January 1st, 1937. He always bemoaned the fact he missed being the first born in that city by one minute. Jim was joined by his favorite sister, Jeanne, a few years later. Erv was a contractor in defense work and the family traveled from Pontiac to Minneapolis, Illinois, and Kentucky. In 1944, Erv and Leora purchased the Chellman property outside of Frederic, WI in West Sweden, across the road from the “Wikstrom Home Place”.

Jim attended Frederic Schools where he excelled in sports and had many friends, and where he met his future wife, Florence Perry. With his father and Erv’s many brothers, Jim honed his outdoor skills and helped supplement the family income by seining and selling minnows for winter fishing as well as fur trapping. He especially enjoyed deer hunting which he continued through his 81st birthday.

Jim was drafted in 1955, serving with the U.S. Army in Germany. He was an expert Marksman and competed in many service competitions. Jim was honorably discharged in 1958 and returned to the Frederic area to work with Erv in the construction business. He helped build the Frederic Rec, Frederic Motel, and the Clubhouse at the Frederic Golf Course.

At this time, he also rekindled his relationship with Florence, daughter of Lea and Bea Perry of Frederic. Jim and Flo were married over the 1959 Deer Season at the Frederic Methodist Church. Born to their marriage were sons Bruce and Jon, and daughter Nancy. They were married for 63 years. Jim moved on from his construction job to the “big money” of being the local milkman, taking over Ed Knief’s door to door Land ‘O Lakes delivery route. The job evolved into regional ice cream and dairy product delivery to retail stores and resorts across the area.

In 1973 Jim resigned his delivery job to build his house down the road from his home place in West Sweden. He began working for Guy Chiver’s logging and from there Les Madsen Logging. He purchased Les’ business and expanded his business into the UP of Michigan, Minnesota, and South Fox Island in Lake Michigan. Many stories were had from these activities and adventures.

Jim retired from the woods in 1994. He took up cutting firewood and supported many local farmers by feeding every critter from West Sweden to Frederic corn and sunflower seeds. Jim enjoyed golf and bowling with his friends and continued to hunt and fish with his family, passing on his secrets to his beloved grandchildren.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Erv and Leora Wikstrom, and his daughter, Nancy Schiller.

Jim is sorely missed by his son, Bruce (DeeAnna) Wikstrom, son, Jon (Jeanne) Wikstrom, former son in law, Dan Schiller, his sister, Jeanne Fick, 7 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. Jim and Flo are blessed to have many close and caring neighbors who kept track of Jimmy in his later years and who continue to keep an eye on Flo. Their kids knew Jim as Grandpa. Jim blazed quite the trail through life with one of his favorite sayings being “If you’re not having fun, why do it?”. Well, he did manage to have a lot of fun and adventure in life, bringing friends and family along with him. To all our friends and family, Jim will remind you to “Remember who you are”. If you know, you know!

A celebration of life will be held the Friday after Thanksgiving – Black Friday – at the 300 Club in Frederic. There will be a short service, food, drink and open bowling, all starting at 5 p.m. Please come and share a story of Jim. Arrangements are entrusted to Rowe Funeral Home of Frederic, www.rowefh.com.

Jim’s phone calls to family always ended with him saying “Adios”, well Jimmy, with love, Adios!

Last Update: Oct 29, 2024 7:27 am CDT