James Howman

MADISON/MIDDLETON-James (Jim) Howman, passed away unexpectedly at his home, Friday February 3rd. He was a true gentleman, kind, considerate and devoted until the end. Born in Neenah October 1st, 1929. He liked telling stories about growing up on the shores of Lake Winnebago with his older brothers Stan and Richard (Bub). He graduated from Neenah High School and attended Oshkosh State University before transferring to the University of Wisconsin-Madison from which he received a bachelor of science degree in 1951. He started Law School before joining the Army to go to Korea. When he returned from Korea, he enrolled in graduate school and received a Master's Degree in Social Work in 1959. Jim’s caring nature served him well during his career as a Social Worker in LaCrosse, Fond du Lac, Dane, Waushara, and Winnebago counties. For the majority of his career he worked for the Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services until retirement. Jim loved to laugh and enjoyed a good joke. He had a lifelong passion for cars. He often joked that it was either a Porsche or Doris, his future wife. He married Doris Bednarek on December 26th , 1959 and was the proud owner of a Morgan sports car. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2009, one of the Golden Wedding couples honored by the Madison Catholic Diocese that year. Besides the family and friends, Jim enjoyed following the Packers and Badgers and building model planes, boats and cars and his N-gauge model railroad. Jim had a kind heart toward children and animals. Besides his wife, he is survived by his daughters, Beth Howman-Combs (Dr. Michael), of Ripon, Jill, (Cary) Bremigan, Madison; grandchildren, Steven and Emily Combs, Ripon; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Katie Howman, Neenah; Gene and Fran Bednarek, Barbara Kurczek, and Julie and Richard Sobralski, all of Berlin; Georgia Bednarek, Denver, CO; Jane Werner, Greenfield; David and Jane Bednarek, Wauwatosa; and Francis Bednarek, Green Bay. He is survived by his feline companion Jerry. He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis Howman and Henrietta Malchow Howman, his brothers, Stanley and Richard (Bub) Howman; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Isadore (Ike) and Bridget (Brygie) Bednarek; sister-in-law, Joan; and brothers-in-law, Frank Kurczek, Merlin Werner, and Thomas Bednarek. The family wants to express its deepest gratitude to caregivers Phil and Katie for the devotion and love they showed to both James and Doris. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7450 University Ave, Middleton at 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 9, 2012 with Monsignor Joseph P. Higgins presiding. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery, Madison. Visitation will be on Thursday from 9:30 AM until the time of the service at the church. Jim will be greatly missed. Memorials can be made to Wisconsin Public Television, 821 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706 or to the American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674-0001. Cemetery: Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery, Madison. Memorials can be made to Wisconsin Public Television, 821 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706 or to the American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674-0001. Visitation will be on Thursday from 9:30 AM until the time of the service at the church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7450 University Ave, Middleton at 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 9, 2012 with Monsignor Joseph P. Higgins presiding.