James Juergen Frank

ARLINGTON - James Juergen Frank, age 32, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, September 17, 2021, in Arlington, WI. He was born April 6, 1989, exactly two months after his father, at home, in Rio, WI. He was the son of Mark and Karen (Wendt) Frank. James graduated from Deforest High School in 2008, picking up the nickname Iceman. It wasn't because he was cold it was because he never wanted to wear a winter coat, as some of you well know. After graduation he went on to work for the state of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as a Wildlife Technician. He worked alongside his father and began his training in the anticipation of taking over Mark's position when he retired. During his time at the DNR he took part in many classes including, chainsaws, ATVs, CWD and many more. One of his favorites was maintaining forests and grasslands by using controlled burns. James was a bit shy but was always up to go out and have fun. If he wasn't out on a semi-dangerous adventure with his cousins, siblings, and friends, you could catch him in the garden. If he couldn't grow it, he would buy it at his favorite store Bent and Dent. He took great pride in tending his many tomato varieties in his garden. All fifteen plus of them! His niece Everly (5) and nephew, Wesley (2), were often there to ask to eat the tomatoes. He would always oblige. James spent a lot of time with his niece and nephew and cared for them like they were his own. James was very good at making them laugh and tossing them back and forth between his siblings. Everly and Wesley loved their uncle and their “airtime”. Once you get James out of the garden you will find him with his fish, or as his nephew likes to say, "Fishy's, Uncle James?" He had a wide variety of fish, but Betas were his favorite. Along with his love of fish, was his love for fishing, and eating as much seafood as possible. Caviar included! James recently became a shareholder of the family cabin, “Shangra La”, where James and his mom were always catching the biggest fish, and later of course, eating them. He also enjoyed acting like a fish while swimming in Dudley Lake. Shangra La was one of his favorite places to go with family and friends. Besides fishing and swimming, at the cabin, there always had to be one firework war, but we won't go into detail for fear of telling James's secrets. James also liked to hunt. When he was a kid, he used a BB gun and as he got older, he hunted with his dad. After working for the DNR though, he was on the other side of hunting helping with CWD testing. It was something new he got to learn, and James loved to learn. He always enjoyed sharing his knowledge of wild mushrooms, plants, gardening, animals, fish, hunting and many more with friends and family. James walks his path in the afterlife, while parents, Mark and Karen Frank; sister, Leah Kaltenberg and husband Matt Kaltenberg; sister, Missy Frank and sweetness Carson Yanna; brother Matthew Frank; Grandmother, MaryAnn Frank; niece and nephew, Everly and Wesley Kaltenberg still walks the path of life. Destined to meet again He joins his grandparents Wallace Wendt, Luella (Wendt) Parker and Juergen Frank in the afterlife along with Great-uncle Walter Mattner who was like a grandparent to him. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON LODI FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 157 S. Main St., Lodi, from 4 pm until 7 pm, Friday, September 24, 2021. A Celebration of James life will be held at LEEDS TOWN HALL, N1485 Pribbenow Dr., Arlington from noon until 3 pm, Saturday, September 25, 2021. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Lodi Funeral & Cremation Care 157 South Main Street (608) 592-3201