James Oppermann

James Fredrick Oppermann, 92, passed away on April 3, 2018. He was born at home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on April 11, 1925 to Fredrick and Dorothy (Felsing) Oppermann.

Jim attended Milwaukee schools, graduating from Washington High School in 1943. Jim proudly served his country in the US Army Air Corps from 1943 through the end of World War II as a navigator. Jim was married to Betty Jane Funk, his junior high school sweetheart, on July 31, 1945 until her death on October 24, 1978.

After the war, he took advantage of the GI Bill, and was the first college graduate in his family – graduating from the University of Wisconsin in 1950. He had a long and successful career in the Finance Department of Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company serving as Assistant Comptroller and Tax Manager among other positions until his retirement in 1987.

On August 29, 1982, Jim and Charlotte Williams were married. They spent most of their time together in Sun City West, Arizona where Jim became an avid golfer. In 2015, he moved back to Wisconsin to be cared for by his children.

Jim was an active member of Mount Carmel Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Sun City West, Arizona. Most recently, he belonged to First United Lutheran Church in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

Jim was the husband who took his wife dancing on Saturday nights and took his family up North each summer for a week at the lake. He was the dad who organized Cub Scout softball, rebounded countless free throws, checked over math homework every night, and enjoyed trips to various museums. He was the grandpa who gave rides in his golf cart and fed swans on the lake. He was the son, nephew, and uncle who loved playing sheepshead at family get-togethers. He was an enthusiastic Wisconsin sports fan – following the Packers, Brewers, Bucks, and Badgers. And he always had time for a dish of chocolate ice cream. Jim was well-loved and will be greatly missed.

Jim is survived by his children: Susan (David) Kuck, Sheboygan, WI; and Jim  (Mary Sue) Oppermann, Brookfield, WI; four grandchildren: Kevin (Keely) Oppermann, Oregon, WI; Peter (Arin) Oppermann, Madison, WI; Kayla (Matt) Droese, Fitchburg, WI; and Elizabeth Kuck (Joshua Lensmire), Kirkland, WA; and four great-grandchildren: Lillian, Sydney, Liam, and Odin.  He is also survived by other relatives and friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife Betty Jane, parents, sister and brother-in-law, Lucille and Edgar Diehl, and a nephew.

Our family would like to thank the staff at Terrace Place, where Jim lived since 2015. We appreciate the care, kindness, and respect given to Jim during the last years of his life.

Jim’s life will be celebrated at Mount Carmel Lutheran Church, 8424 W. Center St., Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Thursday, April 12. Jim’s family will greet friends from 10:30-11:30 am with a Memorial Service beginning at 11:30 am. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mount Carmel Lutheran Church, First United Lutheran Church, or Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice.