James S. "Jim" Coenen

James "Jim" Sylvester Coenen, 86, of Neenah, WI, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2025. Jim was born on March 9, 1938 to Myrtle and Norbert Coenen in Neenah, WI. In childhood, he was a member of the Boys' Brigade where he became a leader for many years. He enjoyed summers at his parents' cottage on the Chain O' Lakes in Waupaca, WI, where he also worked at sleepaway camp on Onaway Island. Jim graduated from Neenah High School in 1956 then went on to graduate from the College of Advanced Traffic Management in Chicago, IL, in 1958. Jim was employed by J.J. Keller and Consolidated Freightways before joining his father and brother, Duane, at the family business. He started as an agent for Allied Van Lines and Checker Transportation and eventually co-owned Checker Moving & Storage and Checker Warehousing until the sale of the business in 1999.
Jim married Beverly Jane Frakes of Neenah, WI, on November 12, 1960. They went on to have three children, Cathy, Steve, and David. Dedicated members of Saint Margaret Mary Parish, Jim and Bev raised their family in Neenah where they supported their children in their individual interests, so much so that Jim coached youth basketball and baseball. Jim was very social and made friends no matter where he went. He loved chatting over a beer, and was often the last one to leave a place after making sure he interacted with everyone. He is remembered for how enjoyable and easy it was to talk with him, and his incredible sense of humor that provided a comforting presence to all that knew him.
Jim was an avid sports fan. Despite being born and raised in Wisconsin, he cheered loudly and proudly for his Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears. He was a decades-long season ticket holder for Wisconsin Badger Football, attending games and hosting tailgates for as long as he could. One of Jim's greatest passions was supporting his children and grandchildren in their respective sporting endeavors. It didn't matter what sport; Jim was in the stands observing and offering insights that led to the success of his children and many of his grandchildren. He and Bev often joked that "their song" was the Star Spangled Banner because they rarely ever missed a game. Jim spent the last twenty-three years enjoying time at his own cottage on the Chain O'Lakes with his family and friends. He found profound comfort in owning a place where everyone could come together and enjoy lake life, just like he did growing up.
Jim was preceded in death by his father, Norbert (March 2, 1972), his mother, Myrtle (April 19, 1977), his brother, Duane (August 15, 2010), and his daughter-in-law, wife of son David, Terri (March 4, 2020). He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Bev, and their three children Cathy (Bret) Pearson, Steve (Jeanne) Coenen, and David Coenen. He will be missed by ten grandchildren: Jake (Anna) Coenen, Allison (John) Bolden, Kristin (Zach) Schmidt, Sierra (Bridgett) Widule, Mitchell (Katie) Widule, Cade Coenen, Payton Pearson, Logan Pearson, Madyson Pearson, and Courtney Pearson. He loved his two great-grandchildren, Riley (Jake & Anna Coenen's daughter) and John "JT" (Allison & John Bolden's son).
A Memorial Service for Jim will be held at 11:30am on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Kessler Fahrenkrug Funeral Home, 304 S. Commercial Street, Neenah, Wisconsin 54956. A Time for Gathering will be held from 10:30am until the hour of the service at the funeral home. Inurnment will take place in Spring of 2025 in St. Margaret Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the staff at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center and Cherry Meadows Hospice for caring for Jim in his final days.