James Edward "Jim" Hare, Sr.
May 27, 1927 - December 09, 2019
Obituary
LODI – James Edward “Jim” Hare, Sr., 92, passed away Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, at Oak Park Place, Madison, Wis.
Jim was born May 27, 1927 in Macomb, Ill., the son of Jesse and Mary (Strickland) Hare. He was married Feb. 4, 1956, to Carol Bahl in Abingdon, Ill., and they were together until her death in 1973. He married again March 8, 1980, to Velma Thompson in Lodi, Wis.
Jim is survived by his wife of 39 years, Velma; his children, Jim Jr. (Cindy), Mary, Jane (Joe) Schumacher, Patrick (Joan), Amy (Jim) Walder and Richard; 13 grandchildren, Clifford (Lindsey), Seth (Sarah), Elizabeth, Austin, William, Joshua (Sydney), Jonathan, Andrew, Zachariah, Timothy, Rebecca, Savannah, and Lily; as well as two great-grandchildren, Madison and Everly, and two more on the way. Jim is also survived by his sister, Marjorie Peitzmeier. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Carol; brothers, John, Jack and Lee; sisters, Anna Icenogle, Lucy (Toots) Lewis, Ruth Rexroat and Martha Yerkes.
Jim attended the Brickyard School for eight years and then Macomb High School. While at Macomb High School, he lettered in football, was King of Valentine dance, May King, and Mr. 1945 (most popular boy). He graduated in May 1945 and entered the U.S. Navy the same month. He went through basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Chicago, and shipped out to Japan soon after WWII ended, where he was part of the occupation forces. He received the rank of Store Keeper 3rd Class before being discharged in June 1946 at Great Lakes. After a year in college and a short stint working in the parts department of a Lincoln-Mercury car dealership, he owned a Dairy Delite and Roszell’s Dairy Bar in Abingdon, Illinois - where he happened to meet his first wife (who also worked for him :)). In 1966, Jim moved to Madison to help run The Pink Bunny, later known as the Reef bar, until 1973. He then owned and operated the Club Sunset Supper Club in Lodi, Wis., for three years and this is where he was introduced to Velma. Jim then sold cars for a couple years with Jon Lancaster followed by owning and operating the Owl’s Nest Supper Club in Poynette, Wis., until 1985. Jim sold the Owl’s Nest but took the cheese spread he developed there and started Owl’s Nest Cheese in Sun Prairie, Wis., which he ran until his retirement in 1992 (although he stayed on as an advisor for two more years). In 1995, Jim moved to Arkansas with his wife Velma and lived there until they returned to Madison, Wis., in 2017.
Jim was always a “people person” who enjoyed spending time with friends and especially enjoyed time spent with family.
A graveside service will be held at ST. PATRICK’S CEMETERY, Hwy J, Lodi, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019. The Rev. Scott Jablonski will officiate. Following the graveside service, a light lunch and gathering will be held at KD’S BAR AND GRILL, 1434 Fair Street, Lodi.
The family would like to thank the staff at Oak Park and Agrace HospiceCare for their loving care of Dad during his last weeks.
Memorials can be made to: Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter,7702 Southwest Regional Airport Blvd., Bentonville, AR 72712; Women’s Shelter of Benton County, P.O. Box 572, Bentonville, AR 72712; or choice of donor. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Lodi
Funeral & Cremation Care
157 South Main Street
(608) 592-3201
Events
Graveside Service
Thu Dec 19, 2019 @ 11:00 AM CDT
St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery (Lodi) • Hwy J, Lodi, WI 53555
Photos
No photos of James have been shared yet.
Memories
GH
Gunderson Funeral Home
Other •
This summer I spent time at home (Illinois) with my family. When I make it back to the Midwest, I make it a point to head north to Madison, Wisconsin. Most of my father’s family resides there. This recent trip was no exception. I knew it was likely my last time seeing my grandfather, my last living, biological grandparent. His health was declining and he’d spent many decades on earth. During our visit, I reached for his hand for, what would be, our final handshake. At 90+ years he gave me the firmest handshake I’ve ever received. I looked him in the eye and said, “that’s quite the handshake!” Without hesitation he replied, “how else would you shake someone’s hand?!” I will miss rare, simple moments like this. Rest easy, Grandpa. We’ll see each other in the hereafter and it will be a glorious reunion.
From Clifford James Edward Hare, grandson
GH
Gunderson Funeral Home
Other •
When your first wife died, you could have easily given up on your career and your family. You didn't. You kept working, and you provided for your children, even though your second heart had left you behind. You were successful; everyone who's heard the name Owl's Nest and eaten Owl's Nest cheese has known you, even if only in the smallest way. You were, I've been told, a man of few words, but your actions always spoke to the truth of your character. You were admirable, you were courageous, but above all, and what I will always be grateful for the most, is you were my father's father. When his mother died, you remained a constant, however distant you might have been just to make enough money and keep your family above water.
My father loved you, and never stopped loving you, even when that meant you couldn't be there for his successes and failures, when he was alone and scared and just wanted someone to hold him and say, "Everything is going to be alright." He knew why you were away, and he never resented you for it. My father loved you so much he took a job at your restaurant at twelve years old just so he could be around you more. If there's anything I've learned from my father, you give your life and your time to those who deserve it-- and family always deserves it.
I'm sorry I didn't know you as he did. I'm sorry I wasted so much time not knowing you, and staying away when I had the opportunity to know you.
I remember the car trips we took down to Arkansas to see you and your second wife when I was just a little boy. I remember the house you used to live in, and I remember my father's excitement when you finally decided to move up to Wisconsin and be with your son and his family, living just fifteen minutes away. I remember driving over with my father when I was getting ready to take my driver's test, and telling you, embarrassed, when I failed that first time, and telling you, proud, when I passed the second time. I remember when my father would help you to the bathroom, and he'd tell you, "You've got to look up, Dad. If you want to see what's outside the window, you can't keep looking at your feet." I remember that last Thanksgiving, just last month, when you wanted to get out of the wheelchair and sit on the couch with everyone.
It took nearly a hundred years for time to finally catch up with you, and you took it like a champion. Only during that last year, those last few months, did things really start to get bad. And they got bad. But that century, even when things got bad, were a sign of your tenacity, your strength of will, and that elemental Hare stubbornness that your children and your children's children now share.
I'll miss you, Grandpa. Without you, my father wouldn't be half the man he is today, and your grandchildren wouldn't have been blessed with the best dad in the world. I hope you know, even now you've passed away, how much everyone wishes you were still here and could have one more day with you.
I love you Grandpa. Though the stars may go out, we never forget their shine.
From Zach Hare, grandson
M
Matthew
Other •
It is with deep sorrow that I write these words. Praying for you Jim. May God's abundant mercy and grace flow over you and the entire family. So appreciated your dad and know he will leave a large hole in so many lives.
May Kate and I offer our deepest condolences to you from our home here in Uganda. Praying God's comfort fills and holds you, my friend.
Matt