Jim Jakel

James "Jim" or "Joker" Robert Jakel, age 69, of Abbotsford passed away unexpectedly after a tractor accident on Sunday, July 13, 2025.
Visitation will be held Friday evening, July 18, 2025, at Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Curtiss with Deacon Darrel Diers officiating. Family and friends are welcome to the visitation at the church beginning at 9:30 a.m. until the service begins. Interment will be at Pine Hill Cemetery immediately following the service with lunch to follow at the church.
Jim was born on August 11, 1955, in Marshfield, the son of Carl and Kathryn (Prohaska) Jakel of Curtiss. He attended Abbotsford Public Schools and graduated from Madison East High School. Jim was united in marriage to Jennifer Carlson on September 9, 1978. Jim was a Master Plumber and a Master Electrician, self-employed at Central Wisconsin Plumbing, Heating & Electrical in Abbotsford, WI.
Jim was unique in so many ways. Most of all he was a super grandpa and would do anything for his grandkids. Joker to some, but never to Jenny. He didn't get gray hairs, he gave them. He loved to be busy, and working was his main hobby, but he loved finding a good deal, especially on antiques. Jim had a great eye for how things should be, taking a small, worn-down farm and turning it into a beautiful homestead. He was great at creating party spaces and enjoyed having friends stop in on the spur of the moment. He had many one-liners he would say and laugh, but if Jenny heard them once, she heard them 100 times.
Jim is survived by his wife of 46 years, Jenny; two daughters, Sarah (Eric) Hackel and Julie (Ronnie) Butkus, both living in Tomahawk, WI along with two grandchildren, Dean and Margaret Hackel. He is further survived by two brothers and two sisters, Mike (Sandy) Jakel of Dorchester, Paul (Jean) Jakel of Abbotsford, Kathy (Steve) Katka of Albany, MN, Mary Beth "Buffy" Feddick of Abbotsford and one sister-in-law, Karen Jakel of New Lisbon along with many cherished nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Kathryn and his brothers, Chuck and Tom (Rhonda).
Jim leaves behind stories from school days through the present that friends and family will remember and laugh about, many unbelievable but they are all true.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to St. Paul's Parking Lot Fund or Pine Hill Cemetery.