James E. Kosanke

Kosanke, James E. 85, of Kouts, passed away Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at home. He was born June 19, 1928 in Kouts to Edward and Lena (Lampl) Kosanke. Jim graduated from Kouts High School in 1946 and from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1947. Upon graduation he joined the family business, becoming the third generation to operate Kosanke Bottle Gas, Ambulance Service and Funeral Home. He continued to operate Kosanke Funeral Home until his retirement in 1993. Jim was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Kouts and was a former member and chief of the Kouts Volunteer Fire Department, former member of the Kouts Chamber of Commerce, the Zoning Board and the Moose Lodge. He was an avid fisherman and aviation enthusiast and member of the EAA. In 1949 in Whitewater, WI, Jim married Joan Edwards, who survives, along with two children, Edward (Theresa) Kosanke of Naples, FL and Sue Yates of Kouts; five grandsons, James, Douglas and Philip Kosanke and Tony and Nick Schoon; two step-grandsons, Jeff and Eric Yates; special grandson, Bill Benson; 15 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Enoch Edwards; and sister-in-law, Wilma Edwards. He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Bruce Yates; and brother-in-law, Elroy Edwards. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2013 at 10:00 AM directly at St. Mary's Catholic Church, the Rev. Thomas Tibbs and Deacon Jim Knopf officiating with burial to follow at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Kouts. Visitation will be Friday, 4-8 PM at Kosanke Funeral Home, 105 E. Indiana Ave., Kouts. Memorials may be made to the Jim and Joan Kosanke Scholarship Fund at Kouts High School. Kosankefuneralhome.com