James R. La Brosse

James “Jim” Robert La Brosse passed away at the age of 68, the way he had always said he wanted to – in his sleep – during the night of October 1st, 2016 after battling numerous years of severe health conditions.

He was born to Lawrence and Stella (Lapinski) La Brosse one winter day on January 23rd, 1948, in Green Bay, WI. He grew up in Krakow where he lived and worked on his parents small farmette with his brothers and sisters. Life's changes later lead him to move on to the home of Donald and Sophie Kraszewski, where he worked on their farm and learned more life skills. Jim graduated from Pulaski High School in the spring of '66' and four short years later married the “girl of his dreams”. He and Jackie-Jacqueline Ann (La May) were wed July 25th, 1970 spending the next 46 years of life with each other through all the good times and bad, and where “Love never failed”. (1 Cor.13:4-8)

One of Jim's proudest moments in life was when he became a father to his firstborn son, Jesse Lee. A couple years later he once again was blessed, this time a baby girl, Jenna Rae. Approximately 3 1/2 years passed and he was delightfully surprised when his last son, Jamin Brice was born. The “5 J's” were established!

Family weekends up north became a regular occurrence, along with lots of fishing, swimming and cutting fire wood. “God's Country” he called it and the placed he liked best. On those shorter fishing trips he took the family to the Machickanee Flowage in Stiles. He did love fishing! He enjoyed his pets (dogs and cats), spent many hours watching the antics of wild life, and was a top-notch cribbage player the game which he seemed to always win at. Of course, there were those nice cars and trucks that he loved driving.

Most importantly, Jim found much comfort in reading the Bible and did so daily; he looked forward to attending the Memorial of Jesus Death, regular attendance of weekly meetings and special assemblies of Jehovah's Witnesses with his family and friends. This lead Jim to become a dedicated, baptized witness of “Jehovah God”. In the years to follow, he acquired many close friends and enjoyed the company of his loving spiritual brothers and sisters from the Kingdom Hall who were always close by and ready to lend a helping hand or sincere word of encouragement. He was privileged to share as one of many volunteers in the construction of the West Green Bay Kingdom Hall. We look ahead, as he always did, to the fulfillment of “Our Grand Creator's” promise found at Revelation 21:1-4 of being able to live in a paradise one day and no longer suffering his physical ailments.

Jim was a very hard worker no matter what he had to do. He was a devoted employee of Proctor & Gamble for approximately 28 years until his disability. He also was employed by Lamers Bus Lines for some 7 years during this time. He loved driving school bus because he loved kids and hoped to continue doing so after retirement from P&G. Unfortunately his working career was abruptly terminated when a brain aneurysm suddenly made life changes for him and his family.

James is survived by his loving wife, Jackie, and three children, Jesse, Jenna (Cory) Dyer, and Jamin. He is also survived and dearly missed by his four grandchildren, Gaven Robert, Gage Lee, Garrett Brice, and Gentry Rylee; his brothers, Larry (Linda), Ambrose (Kaye), Allan (Patty), Gerard (Connie), and Gerome (Tracy); his sisters, Mary Ann (Harold-deceased) Hansen, Stella Cygan-Heyrman (both deceased), Loretta (Karl) Hill, Margie (Ralph) Jansen, Patty (Chuck) Wallen, and Lucy La Brosse; his foster mother Sophie Kraszewski; his foster brother Mike Hoppe, foster sisters, Wendy Tourtillot, Margie Bolls, and Cheryl (Richard) Stallard; foster sister-in-law Marge Curveys; his brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jack and Jean Bates; Sherri La Brosse, Jean La May, Janice May, Marie Stavenow; as well as many cherished nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lawrence and Stella; two brothers Joseph (Ruth-deceased) and George; foster father Donald Kraszewski; foster brother Walter Curveys. Also close to him were his father-in-law and mother-in-law Corwin (Ione) La May, brothers-in law Reg (Elaine) La May, Aubrey La May and Gary La May.

A Memorial will be held for Jim at the Green Bay West Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 3065 West Mason Street on October 15th,, at 4 PM. An encouraging talk will be given by Mr. Brian Mock.

A special thank you is extended to the healthcare professionals of Unity Hospice and the caring staff at Parkview Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center. Thank you for the wonderful care that was given to our beloved husband and father during his final days.