James H. Kleinschmidt

Kleinschmidt, James Herbert

We celebrate the life of James Herbert Kleinschmidt who joined Jesus in Heaven on March 3, 2015. A man of deep faith, Jim was dedicated to his wife, Carol, family and community.

James was born to Herbert and Rose (Schult) at his grandmother's house in the town of Scott, Lincoln Co, Wisconsin, on January 15, 1934. Jim served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1956. A longtime resident in the town of Hamburg, James married the love of his life, Carol Mathwich, at St. John's Lutheran Church, town of Easton, on May 25, 1957.

Besides Carol, he is survived by four children, Karman, Keith (Laura), Kirk and Kimberly (Geoffrey Wyatt), and two grandchildren, Annie and Samuel. He is missed by his sister, Joan (Merlin) Zahrt and extended family.

He served as a Rural Mail Carrier for the Hamburg/Athens Post Office for 36 years driving a 100+ mile route six days a week.

Jim was a lifetime member of St John's Lutheran Church, Hamburg, where he served in numerous leadership positions, including President and Elder, as well as serving on the Building Committee for the new church that was dedicated in 1979. Besides his church service, Jim was a volunteer with the Hamburg Happy Hearts 4-H club. He was also a dedicated volunteer at Maple Grove School (which he attended) by coaching basketball, co-founded Monday Night Community Basketball, and, in retirement, tutored children individually. In Hamburg, he enjoyed woodworking, cutting firewood at the Kleinschmidt family homestead forty, making maple syrup, gardening, and bird watching. In Sun City West, he enjoyed long walks, the rec center swimming pool, desert gardening, and yoga. Throughout his life, Jim was an avid card player with schafkopf being the game of choice and a Packers, Brewers and Bucks fan.

Jim built a cottage on Long Lake, town of Harrison, Lincoln Co, that was enjoyed by the family for years. After moving to Arizona in 2000, Jim and Carol transformed the cottage into a house that became their summertime residence. Jim and Carol traveled to over 25 countries, as well as extensively throughout the US.

A victory celebration will be held at the Crown of Life Lutheran Church, Sun City West, AZ, on March 28, 2015. Inurnment and a celebration of life will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church, Athens, later in the year. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to St. John's Church or plant a tree in Jim's name.