James Arnold Oeffler, 81, passed away on July 10, 2019 at the Frederic Nursing Home.  He was born December 28, 1937 to Arnold and Hazel Sturm in Springbrook, WI.  Jim was so tiny that he slept in a shoe box near the stove to keep warm.  At age 7, Jim was adopted by Theodore Oeffler when married to Hazel.  Jim was baptized and confirmed at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Frederic, WI.  He graduated from Frederic High school in 1956 and then attended the University of River Falls for one year.  Jim met Jan at the Frederic Roller Rink.  They fell in love and were married on October 17, 1959. 

Jim and Jan moved to Cincinnati, Ohio while working for Northrup King Seeds Company.  He moved to Minnesota to work for American Tobacco Company and then American Greetings.  Jim installed American Greetings card departments in the very first Target stores.  Tired of moving his family around the country and the constant push for sales at work, Jim and Jan bought the flower shop and greenhouses in Frederic and Luck in July, 1976.  They owned and operated Oeffler’s Flower Shop, greenhouses and landscaping for 21 years before daughter, Sally bought it and renamed/relocated it to the Rose Garden.  Jim and Jan were caretakers for Lacek’s lake lodge in Danbury for 8 years and then finally retired and moved back to Frederic.

Jim enjoyed the outdoors with his family and dogs.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman, including going to Canada and deep-water fishing.  Jim enjoyed bowling, Judo, snowmobiling, playing cards, camping and golfing.  As a resident of Mankato, MN when the Vikings were new to the NFL, Jim became a loyal Vikings fan.  He had a wandering soul and loved adventure, traveling to all 50 states, across Canada, Mexico and Belize.  Jim was an alderman for the City of Blaine, MN; a village board member for Frederic, WI; and on the Board of Directors for Wild River Habitat for Humanity.  He was a lifelong Masonic and Lion’s member.

Jim is survived by his wife, Janice of Frederic; children, Rev. Susan Oeffler of Rice Lake, Sally (Duane) Miller of Frederic, Theodore (Jolene) Oeffler of Eau Claire, Pamela (Rich Wahls) Oeffler of Woodbury, MN; grandchildren, Stephanie (Lance) Williamson of Frederic, Curtis (Aubrey) Brown of St. Cloud, MN, Ryan (Kristi) Rose of Woodbury, MN, Chelsey (Wylie Wood) Brown of Eau Claire, Katie Rose of Frederic, Chad (Jen) Brown of Hastings, Alexander Oeffler of Eau Claire, Abigail Oeffler of Eau Claire, Hannah and Evan Wahls of Woodbury; great-grandchildren, Emersyn, Beckett and Hayzel Brown, Mason and soon-to-be baby Brown; Megan, Mason and Logan Williamson; Tristen and Payten Rose; Corbyn and Addilyn Rose; brother, Gary (Sue) Sturm of St. Paul, MN; many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, John. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Frederic on Saturday, July 20th - visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by the service at 11:00 a.m.

Arrangements are entrusted to Rowe Funeral Home.

Last Update: Jul 16, 2019 10:58 am CDT