James E Schiefelbein

Our beloved dad, James E. “Jim” Schiefelbein, age 82 of Reedsburg, passed away peacefully, Monday, August 21, 2023, surrounded by his four children at Agrace Hospice Care in Fitchburg, following a brave battle with dementia. Jim was born in Reedsburg September 20, 1940. He was the only child of Evan and Hilda (Schulte) Schiefelbein. 

His family moved around a lot when he was young before settling in Mt. Morris, IL.  There he was a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America. Later he graduated high school in Mt. Morris in 1958. He attended Luther College for one year where he played football and lettered in track. He left college when his dad offered him partnership in the business, Schiefelbein Body Shop. He ran the body shop successfully until selling it in 2007. He married Karen Gates in an evening ceremony December 7, 1963 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Reedsburg. Before their marriage and for several years during, he served in the Air National Guard. They were blessed with four children. He was proud to be a volunteer fireman for 30 years with the Reedsburg Fire Department, from 1964-1994. He helped start WACTAL (Wisconsin Auto Collision Technicians Association, Ltd), serving as president from 1976-1978. He was a faithful member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, serving on the Board of Elders and also on the Board of Education for St. Peter’s School. His faith deepened as his struggle with dementia increased.

Survivors include his children; twin daughters Christine (Paul) Falkenstein of Fox Lake and Kimberly Schiefelbein of West Allis; son Mark of Fish Creek, and daughter Amy (Steve) Ziebell of Oregon; two grandchildren, Amanda (nee Falkenstein) (Steve) Ruiz of Stillwater, MN, and Corey Falkenstein of Hales Corners; and special AFS daughter Chris (Hemeleers) Dewerie and her family of Belgium. He was preceded in death by his wife and parents.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Reedsburg Senior Life Center for the excellent care our dad received. In addition, we are grateful to the Agrace Hospice Care staff in Reedsburg and Fitchburg for the outstanding care and attention our dad and family was given. A special thank you to Pastor Crolius for his visits and prayers. We are grateful for the kindness shown to our dad and our family by so many people throughout this journey.

Memorial service will be held Tuesday, August 29 at 11 AM at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Reedsburg with Rev. Paul Crolius officiating. Inurnment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Reedsburg. Visitation will be held Monday, August 28 from 3 to 7 PM at Grasse Funeral Home in Reedsburg and from 10 AM until the time of service at the church Tuesday. Memorials may be made to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church or St. Peter's School or the Reedsburg Fire Department. 

Dad believed, “don’t cry because it’s over…smile because it happened.”

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