James Wentland

FITCHBURG --James "Jim" Robert Wentland, 65, died peacefully at his beloved home Sunday morning, July 1, after long heart-related illness.

Clarence and Gladys (Randorf) Wentland were surprised to discover that Gladys was pregnant at the age of 47. They already had a 14-year-old daughter, Joyce, and a 6-year-old son, Donald. Jim's birth on August 13, 1953, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rhinelander, Wis., was very premature, yet he survived against the odds. A new job for his father at the Wisconsin Department of Instruction as the reorganization supervisor, brought Jim's family to Madison in the early 1960s. Jim attended James Madison Memorial HIgh School, graduating in 1972.

He met the love of his life, Susan (Schlaver) Wentland, at high school, but their friendship developed when the two worked at Copps grocery store on Whitney Way in 1973. It turned to romance after their first date at a dinner in late 1980 held by CUNA Mutual where Jim worked as a custodian. Jim was a wise investor, buying rental properties starting with a duplex in the mid 1980s, which grew to six properties. After leaving CUNA, he worked at Promega Corp. also as a custodian. At the time of his death, he had been retired for several years.

JIm was a fan of a good joke and wasn't afraid to repeat it often. A known smart aleck and beer lover, he was also extremely kind and gentle. He loved his cats and hated to hear about any person being treated unfairly. He spent many hours enjoying country music and Westerns. He also liked to travel to places such as Las Vegas to do a little gambling and visit museums.

Jim is mourned by his wife, Susan, his sister, Joyce (Fred) Williams of Madison and two nephews, Mark (Heidi) Williams of Fitchburg and Scot (Teresa) Williams, of the Twin Cities. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Dolores (Herman) Schlaver and brother-in-law Steve Schlaver, both of Waunakee, and sister-in-law Sandy Schlaver and nephew, Tyson Laux, both of McFarland. He will be missed by his cats Mittens and Tiger.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, brother, father-in-law Donald Schlaver and his best cat friends, Skitter, Indy and Daisy.

His family thanks Agrace HospiceCare, Visiting Angels and UW Hospital for their care and Timothy Meidl for his devotion and friendship during Jim's illness.

Visitation is at 10 a.m. and funeral at 11 a.m., Friday, July 6, at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Rd, Madison, followed by burial in Forest Hill Cemetery.

Cress Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
608-238-3434