Blue Mounds / Mount Horeb - With profound sadness, we must announce to the world that James Harold “Jim” Friedl Jr., age 78, of Blue Mounds, passed away on Monday, March 30, 2026, at Ingleside Manor. He was born on December 6, 1947, in Sparta, Wis., the son of James Harold Friedl Sr. and Luella Louise (Buchmann) Friedl.

James’ early years consisted of spending time with his parents and five siblings. He especially loved working at his father’s garage in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he was able to service automobiles of all sorts. This fostered in him a great love of cars. This affection for vehicles shaped his career aspirations and stayed with him for his entire life. He held many positions in industry over the years, but the one he was most proud of was being a GM service manager at Symdon Motors in Mount Horeb, where he felt he truly shined. He loved working on cars even when he was not at work and took the time to make sure each of his three sons ended up with a nice-looking muscle car for their first automobile. He did this by personally doing the engine work and body work on the vehicles, and then trading his engine work with a friend for new paint jobs on his sons’ cars. Even as the number of days he had remaining dwindled, and he found himself unable to work on cars, he found himself drawn to accomplishments of others in their own work on autos; often times excitedly telling others of what he had seen on the street or on TV.

After graduating from high school, James met the love of his life, Donna Marie Johnson. With her, he was able to build a life he could be proud of. Together, they had three children, all rather feral boys, and somehow managed to live through the experience of parenthood. After many happy years and joyous adventures, Donna sadly passed on, and James continued on, focusing on being a good father to his sons and great friend to his community.

James is survived by his sons, Sean (Moireen Ring) Friedl, James A. Friedl and Brian P. (Amanda ) Friedl; grandchildren, Gwendolyn, Jessie, James, Zaran, Montae, Eli, Gavin, Lea, Cody, Demarion (Tara), Mariah, Markeyonna, Jay, Denetra, Keisa, Ricky (Abby), Demetrius, Cierra, Charlie, Deandre, Demargo (Mikayla), Geneva, Turiez, Jasmine,, Danielle (Wylie); and great-grandchildren, Zion and Zayden, Triton, Shyann and Mason, Ri'Zen, Saniyah, Keeon, Destiny, Amayla, Jeremiah, Devina, Nayeli, Royalty, Za'Kira, Skye, Estelle, Anastasia, Zari, Kasmin, Jay'Shawn, Wylie, and Izzy. He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna Marie Friedl; and his parents, James and Luella and his great grandson Si'yiere .

In keeping with Jim’s wishes, no services will be held. Burial will be held at West Blue Mounds Cemetery. Memorials, if you should choose to do so, should be by doing an act of kindness to others as James would do often for his friends and neighbors by using his skills and tools to make their lives better.

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

Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb
Funeral & Cremation Care
500 N. Eighth St.
(608) 437-5077

James Harold "Jim" Friedl Jr.

December 06, 1947 - March 30, 2026

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