Jim Nowak

March 1, 1934 - December 2, 2017

Jim Nowak Jim passed away Saturday, December 2, 2017 at Patriot Place in Berlin where he had resided for two and a half weeks. Born March 1, 1934 his journey on earth lasted 84 meaningful years. He graduated from St. Stanislaus Grade School then, St. Bonaventure Minor Seminary in Sturtevant, Wisconsin. On October 17, 1953 he and Diane Kwidzinski were married at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Berlin. They moved to Milwaukee where he worked at Cutler Hammer until he was drafted, proudly serving in the Army 82nd Airborne Division stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. After an honorable discharge, he took advantage of the G.I. bill, graduating from UW Oshkosh with a degree in Education, plus summer schools at Colorado State College in Greeley where he earned his Master’s degree. Jim’s first teaching position was at Roosevelt Middle School in Oshkosh, then transferring to Perry Tipler Middle School where he was Principal and taught for 28 years retiring in 1988. Jim was a Deputy Sheriff for Green Lake County, Secretary-Treasurer for the Berlin Fraternal Order of Eagles, a snowmobile and hunter safety instructor, a Boy Scout leader and manager for the Berlin Brewery softball team. Win or lose, no one went home thirsty. He was ambitious and resourceful, traits he proudly saw in his sons. Quite the recycler, he tore down buildings, reusing the lumber to build a cabin in the woods in Adams County with the help of his family and friends. Many happy hours were spent there and usually a couple cold ones would appear to wash the dust out of their throats. Most people would call it hard work, but Jim found cutting, hauling and splitting wood enjoyable and he did this as long as he was able. Winter activities enjoyed were deer and rabbit hunting, fishing, cross country skiing and snowmobiling with many summers spent camping across the country plus taking Diane riding on his motorcycle. Slowing down a bit, they found Mission, TX to their liking and have spent their winters there since 1990. Many good friendships were made and remain. Jim is survived by his wife of 64 years and their three sons, Tony (Sandy) of Elkhorn, WI, Mark (Colleen) of Coal Center, PA, and Scot (Barb deceased) of Cleveland, WI and their families. He also had many good friends and relatives who were always there when needed. Jim is the last survivor of the Tony and Gertie Nowak family who raised him, including Marie (Bob Czinsky), Lawrence, Jane (Sut Jodarski) Betty (Ed Marks), Tommy, Bobby (Lee) and Doris (Eric Jackson). If Jim had written his own obituary it would have simply had said, “He was here, now he’s not.” He really was one of a kind, The Best Kind! “Remember the laughter, the stories and the fun For slowly and sadly those good times are done.” In Jim’s memory, donations can be made to the Berlin Senior Citizens Center 142 Water St. Berlin, WI 54923; The Alzheimers Association for Research 3313 S. Packerland Dr. Suite E De Pere, WI 54115; and Agnesian Hospice Hope 745 South St. Suite 4 Green Lake, WI 54941.