James Russell Reisdorfer

OREGON -James R. Reisdorfer, age 62, of Oregon, passed away on Thursday, July 18, 2013, at UW Hospital after a very hard-fought and courageous battle with brain cancer. Jim was born July 27, 1950, in Huron, S.D. He was the oldest child of Edward J. and Lorraine M. (Heikes) Reisdorfer. He lived in South Dakota and Iowa and moved to Worthington, Minn. while in junior high school. He graduated from Worthington High School in June of 1968. From there, he went to the University of Minnesota in the Naval ROTC program and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in May, 1973. On August 13, 1971, he married Ann Christensen at Sacred Heart Church in Waseca, Minn. After graduation from college, he was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. He and Ann spent four years on the east coast, living in Newport, R.I., Charleston, S.C., and Norfolk, Va. Jim spent many months at sea and thoroughly enjoyed the navy experience and the wonderful places he visited all over the world. Through his Navy experience, Jim made many lasting friendships. In January, 1975, Jim and Ann’s first son, Jeremy was born in Waseca, Minn. and in October of 1976, their second son, Jeffery was born in Portsmouth, Va. In 1977, Jim left active duty and took a job at AMF/Paragon Electric in Two Rivers. The family lived there for 6 years and then moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where Jim worked for CRL Components. In 1989, the family made their final move to Oregon. While in Oregon, Jim worked eight years for Johnson Controls in Watertown and four years in the Johnson Controls Headquarters in Milwaukee. For the past seven years Jim has worked as a Sustaining Engineer at Accuray Incorporated in Madison. In 1995, he retired from the US Naval Reserve with the rank of Commander, having given over twenty-two years of service. Jim was the kind of guy who would do anything for anybody. He loved life and always had a smile and a kind word. He loved to talk and knew a little something about everything. While his sense of humor was a little offbeat, it was the very essence of who he was. When his sons were growing up, he coached their football, basketball and track teams and was a Scout Leader. He had many hobbies, including: collecting sports cards and memorabilia, HO and Lionel trains, woodworking, gardening, yard work and working on his computer. Jim loved the Packers, Badger hockey and spending time with his family. His three grandchildren were the light of his life. He also had a love for learning and was continually looking for more information on a wide variety of subjects. He went back to school, while working full-time and graduated from Cardinal Stritch University, in 1999, with a Master Degree of Business Administration. He was a member of Holy Mother of Consolation Church and was involved in many activities through the church. He is survived by his best friend and wife, Ann; his son, Jeremy of Marshall, his son, Jeff (Mary) and their children, Addison, Beckett and Charlotte of River Falls. He is also survived by his brother, Greg (Barbara) Reisdorfer of Lakewood, Wash.; his sister, Julie (Steve) Surprenant of Oregon; his sister-in-law, Paula (Jeff) Schmitz of Reno, Nev.; many nephews, nieces, cousins and special relatives, Don and Verla Larson and Jeanne and John Andrews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Paul Reisdorfer; and his mother-in-law and father-in law, Lois and Roy Christensen. Funeral services will be held at HOLY MOTHER of CONSOLATION CHURCH, 651 N. Main St, Oregon, at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 25, 2013. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 24, 2013, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL HOME, 1150 Park St., Oregon, and also from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday at the church. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Oregon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be used for a scholarship in Jim’s name that will be given to an Oregon High School student who is interested in pursuing an engineering major in college. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Cemetery: Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Oregon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be used for a scholarship in Jim’s name that will be given to an Oregon High School student who is interested in pursuing an engineering major in college. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 24, 2013, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL HOME, 1150 Park St., Oregon, and also from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday at the church. Funeral services will be held at HOLY MOTHER of CONSOLATION CHURCH, 651 N. Main St, Oregon, at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 25, 2013.