Obituary of G. James Dempze

G. James Dempze, age 70, of Wisconsin Rapids (Village of Biron), passed away Friday, April 18, 2014 at his residence. Services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, April 23rd at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids. Rev. James Douglas will officiate. Entombment will be in Forest Hill Mausoleum. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, April 22nd at the Herman-Taylor Funeral Home and Cremation Center and from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services on Wednesday at the church. Jim was born in Stevens Point, WI on July 19, 1943 to Gordon and Iris (Ayres) Dempze. He married Susie (Marlene) Eichhorn on December 30, 1967 at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids. The couple was blessed with 46 years of marriage. Jim was the third generation owner and operator of Dempze Cranberry Company in the village of Biron and Tamarack Flowage Cranberry Company in Three Lakes, WI. He served his country in the U.S. Army National Guard. Jim was an active and longtime member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. He was a patient man with a quick wit and a wise, gentle soul who loved his family and friends with all his heart. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren and all of their activities. Jim liked to hunt and fish and his favorite hobby was bee keeping. He and Susie loved to travel and enjoyed many wonderful trips together. Survivors include his wife: Susie (Marlene); daughter: Jamie (Rocky) Biegel, Wisconsin Rapids; son-in-law: Shane Dupuis, Three Lakes, WI; grandchildren: Rochelle (Nick) Hoffman, Vincent and Hayden Biegel, Jesse and Madeline Dupuis; great-grandchildren: Harlow and Twyla Hoffman; two brothers: Wayne (Jeanne) Dempze, Wisconsin Rapids and Gary (Susan) Dempze, Rudolph; one sister: Nancy Dempze (Dan Bailey), Boston, MA; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and daughter Jessica Dupuis. Memorials may be designated to the Dempze Family Scholarship Fund through Incourage Community Foundation or to the St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church Cheerful Givers Fund.