"I don't feel as though you're gone, dad, you are always with me and I hear your voice and I am a part of you. I talk to you everyday though others don't hear our conversation. I will see you again, that I know for sure and it brings me peace. I know you are well and in God's hands."
In loving memory of
James Edward Gresch
August 13, 1930 - October 29, 2013
Gresch, James Edward
Mr. Jim Gresch, of Cedarburg, was born to eternal life on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at the age of 83, surrounded by his loving family at Aurora Medical Center in Grafton. Jim was born August 13, 1930 in Beaver Dam to Martin and Esther Klebs Gresch. He attended St. Steven's Parochial School in Beaver Dam, Northwestern Prep School in Watertown, and graduated from Hartford High School. He married LaVerne Groehler on April 19, 1952 at St. Steven's Church in Beaver Dam. Jim proudly served his country in the United States Army. During his lifetime, he was employed as a toe laster at Weyenberg Shoe Factory in Oconomowoc and Gilbert Shoe Factory in Thiensville. He was a letter carrier for the US Postal Department in Cedarburg, a supervisor at Justro Feeds, and his favorite job, a custodian at Westlawn School in Cedarburg. He retired in 1993 to become "Mr. Fix-it", keeping his home in good repair and helping other people maintain their homes. He also enjoyed being the neighborhood "snow angel", refinishing furniture and tinkering in his workshop, bowling, playing cribbage and sheepshead and reading his bible.
Jim was a Korean War veteran and a member of the Peter Wollner American Legion Post #288. He was also a long-time member of the Cedarburg Fire and Rescue Squad and ambulance crew. He was a long time member of Faith Lutheran Church, where he had been a council member and enjoyed caring for the church grounds.
Jim is survived by his wife LaVerne and their children: Steven (Anne), Alan (Sherry), Brian (Jane), Kevin, Susan (Roy) Eisenheim, Laureen (Whit) Lehnberg, Gordon (Becky). He is further survived by 21 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Martin Gresch and Esther Jaquet, step-parents Augie and Viola Jaquet, brother Martin (Mary Lou) Gresch, mother and father-in-law Erich and Alvina Groehler, brothers-in-law Elmer (Evie) and Hilbert (Dolores) Groehler, sisters-in-law Adeline Groehler and Edna (Mark) Henkel.
A Memorial Service will be held at 6:30PM on Friday, November 8, 2013 at Faith Lutheran Church, N35 W6621 Wilson St. in Cedarburg. The Rev. John Norquist will officiate. The family will receive visitors at the church on Friday from 3-6PM with the American Legion Peter Wollner Post #288 and Cedarburg Fire Department walk-thru at 6:00 PM. He will be laid to rest at Zur Ruhe Cemetery in Cedarburg with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Faith Lutheran Church.
Thank you to Dr. Torkelson and his staff for their continued care for Jim's cancer, to Pastor John Norquist for his many prayers and visits while Jim was ill, to our wonderful neighbors for their help and support during Jim's illness, and to the nurses and doctors at Aurora for their compassionate care.
The Eernisse Funeral Home, Cedarburg is honored to be serving the family.
Tributes
"I can't believe its been a year. I miss our quirky relationship. Grams doing good we're all making sure she's taken care of. Love you pops!"
"I will never forget the last thing he said to me was Aaron I hope more people know you are special as I did. I will always remember that grandpa thank you"
"Mr. Gresch, Jim, Pa, I've know you by these names for most of my life. As as young boy you were the father of my friends Steve and Al, you put the fear of God into me. I never wanted to be the one who woke you up. Later when I was dating your daughter, Laureen, I just wanted to meet your approval. After she and I married you filled me with your wisdom and advice on what makes a marriage and family work. I had lost my own father at 16 and you stepped in and treated me like one of your on sons. You taught me many things through the years and when I couldn't ask your advice in person about something I ask myself "What would Pa do?" and things work out. Thank you for all the love and guidance sir, Thank you for everything. When we meet again we have a playoff game of cribbage to finish. Machs gut."
"Dad never went to college, but to say he wasn't a learned man would be untrue. I will always cherish the many hours we spent talking about God and life. It was like having our own 2-man bible study. There were many things he questioned that we discussed and it taught me to dig deeper into my faith. Thanks for sharing your wisdom and intelligence Dad...and thanks for teaching me the importance of hard work, God, and family. They are all lessons that have served me well."
"Dad sent a letter to Gordon one year for his birthday. In it were these words of wisdom... Remember, Son, there are only two things that are important in this life: God and family. Those fatherly words of advice became a lifestyle. We'll never forget them, and we'll certainly never forget the great man that said them! We love you, Dad."
" "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away". Revelation 21:4 To the man who taught me to: 1.Shave(Gotta look good for the girlies!) 2.Tie a tie(See #1) 3.Hammer a nail(What's with the tap, tap? Swing that thing like you mean it!) 4.Show up for work every day(It's not your employers fault you decided to stay out all night!) 5.Play Sheepshead(Short suit to your partner, long to your opponent!) And 6.Help those who can't help themselves. Rest in peace, Dad, until we meet again. Your loving Son, Steve "
"Dad loved Hank Williams and especially the song "Your Cheatin Heart". On Sunday mornings, dad would be shaving in his boxers and he would be singing at the top of his lungs "Your cheatin heart will make you weep....." When the neighbor kids would hear him singing they thought he was yelling at us and would run for the hills. Any time I hear that song I think of dad and can't help laugh - I love that song and I loved the man that sang it better than Hank ever did!"
"I have been blessed beyond measure by the love of my parents. Of all the things my dad showed me in this life the most important was my worth as a woman and a child of God. It was his love for my mom that led me to the love of my life, and his love for all his children that has taught me to love and cherish my own children. We will all miss Dad for now until we are joined again with him in our Father's loving presence. Until then, Pa, I know you know I love you and I thank God every day for blessing me with your love and nurture."
"For almost 40 years I have been welcomed with open arms into your home. My memories run deep filled with love and compassion that I hold dear to my heart. Duane has so many memories with Pa on the ambulance that brings both a smile and a giggle to him that he too will carry in his heart. Our children, Nick, Shelly and Erin always referred to you both as grandpa and grandma gresch, again the love you both showed to everyone will live with us forever!!! Our sadness at your loss is heavy but we know pa is in a better place and you will see him again in all his glory!!"