James H. Jaehnig

Fitchburg - James H. Jaehnig passed away on August 13, 2009, at HospiceCare, Inc., in Fitchburg. He died of ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).

He was born on August 14, 1926, in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, son of Rudolph H. and Erna A. (Baryenbruch) Jaehnig. He was a graduate of Washington High School in Two Rivers and served in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946. On August 29, 1946, he was united in marriage to Ruth C. LaFond. Jim became affiliated with Rahr Malting Co in Manitowoc, WI, and retired from Bio-Technical Resources, Inc. in 1991. Jim was a member of Holy Innocents Catholic Church, Manitowoc, for many years. More recently, he was a member of Saint James Parish, Madison.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth, and five children: Monica (Tom Schrader) Jaehnig, Madison; Lisa (Doug) Olson, Stoughton; Kurt (Karen) Jaehnig, Madison; Chris (Melissa) Jaehnig, New York, NY; Adrea Jaehnig, Syracuse, NY. He is also survived by three grandchildren: Emily Jaehnig, Madison; Greg Jaehnig, serving in the Peace Corps in Namibia, Africa; and Patrick Olson, Stoughton; one great-grandchild, Braelynn Olson, Stoughton; a sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Dr. Jack Boyer, Alpine, California; and a sister-in-law, Bernice Jaehnig, Mesa, Arizona. He was preceded in death by a brother, Ralph.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2009 at ST. JAMES CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1128 St. James Court, Madison, with Msgr. Thomas F. Baxter presiding. A visitation will be held one hour prior to services. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 2705 Regent St., Madison. The family thanks the staff members at Sylvan Crossing-Fitchburg and HospiceCare, Inc., for the kindness and excellent care they provided to Jim.