James Lund

CROSS PLAINS - James “Jim” Lund of Cross Plains, Wis., began his new life in Christ on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.

After a difficult childhood, Jim was forced into adult life early, leaving home at the age of 15. Despite the challenges, he graduated from St. Croix Falls High School. Shortly after high school, he married Pam Fannes. Jim and Pam had one son together, Jeff, whom he considered a blessing. Determined to take care of his family, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was assigned to the missile base located in Minot, N.D. There he was a mechanic for “big missiles,” as he would call them. He served his country with honor as a Nuclear Weapons Specialist. During his time, he earned the Long Service Award and Outstanding Unit Award, among others.

After completing his four years in the Air Force, he moved to Madison, Wis. In 1980, while playing sand volleyball, he met LaDonna Norman, who was the love of his life. Together in 1988, they opened the Scoreboard Bar & Grill, a sports bar in Cross Plains. They added an outdoor area with sand volleyball courts which became a big community activity with nightly leagues and weekend tournaments. Jim’s outgoing personality thrived in the environment, where he had the opportunity to meet and love others through sports.

In 1993, Jim and LaDonna moved to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The couple welcomed his second son, Brandon, another incredible blessing and joy in his life. In Florida, Jim also rediscovered his love of cars and used his skills from the Air Force to become a mechanic and service advisor. His love for people once again shined, as customers loved working with him. Jim eventually made his way to Texas where he continued working in the automotive industry.  

Later in life, Jim’s eyesight started to fail due to Macular Degeneration which forced him to stop work. Another hard blow to Jim where once again he had to find his way. He headed back to his beloved Cross Plains, Wis. He was fortunate to reunite with old friends and make many more. So many people came along in the right moment to lend Jim a helping hand. He particularly bonded with people over sports. Jim had a sport for every season between the Packers, Bucks, Brewers, NASCAR, and of course the Badgers!

When he was not with people, Jim loved his long walks. He would walk over the boardwalk almost every day with pockets full of sunflower seeds he would toss off the boardwalk. Sunflower seeds turned into beautiful flowers along his walk. He was very proud of his sunflowers.

Though Jim endured a hard life at times, he was blessed to live the final stage of his life happy and with his wonderful friends of Cross Plains at Mainstreet Lanes and Dotty’s. Jim now rests in peace with his Mother, Grandmother, and Uncle Bob who were so special to him. Though his daily calls to his sisters, Margie and Diane, will be missed, there is comfort in knowing that he now has the best view in the house with Jesus, cheering the Packers on to victory.

Jim is survived by his sons, Jeff Lund (Schelley Zimmerman) of Minnesota, and Brandon Lund of Fort Worth, Texas; LaDonna Norman of Millsap, Texas; grandsons, Jacob, John and Justin; sisters, Margie Roush, Julie Lund and Diane Tinney; and his Cross Plains Family.

A sharing of memories will be held at AMERICAN LEGION POST NO. 245, 2217 American Legion Drive, Cross Plains at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024. The celebration of Jim’s life will continue at Dotty’s and Main Street Lanes in Cross Plains after the ceremony.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.