James “Jim” Doyle, 83, of Wilton died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, at the Bluff View Memory Care Center in Holmen, after a fight with Lewey Body Dementia.
He was born to Emmet and Freda (Hansen) Doyle on March 15, 1931. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Wilton. He was united in marriage to Verna C. Trepes on June 6, 1953, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Kendall. They were blessed with four wonderful children.
Jim was a farmer at heart: He farmed his whole life, and he stopped milking in 1998, but still helped his son Ed farm until 2010. His joys of life were his faith, his family, and his farm, with his Jersey cows and Belgian horses.
He enjoyed working the ground with his horses, going to horse pulls, attending many horse shows, and traveling to many horse auctions. He had a great love and admiration for the Belgian horses.
Jim had many horse friends, Amish friends, and neighbors, and he always enjoyed spending time and visiting with them all. He had a regular group of card friends and loved playing cards, wherever their games may be held. Jim was a lifelong and faithful member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Wilton. Jim will always be remembered by his smile that is never forgotten and his stories shared time and time again.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Verna of Wilton; a son, Ed (Sherry) of Wilton; three daughters, Kay (Gene) Dougherty of Wilton, Kari (Frank) Benish of Elroy, and Janis (her friend Michael Miller) of Wilton; 12 grandchildren, Andy (his fiancée Madelyn Kulas) and Paul Doyle, Katie (Kelly) Wallace, Michael (Kelly) Dougherty, Geena (Travis) Skowrowski, Mitchel (Kimberly Walters) Benish, Marcia (Zach) Zierke, Mindy (Thomas Vieth), Matt (Hana Weber) and Max Benish, and Justin (Jamie) Adams and Anthony (Dane) Adams; 12 great-grandchildren; a sister, Pat Taylor of Tomah; a sister-in-law, Carrie Doyle of Wilton; an uncle, Clayton (Marian) Hansen of Tomah; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Megan Doyle; two brothers, Robert and Jack; and three sisters, Joyce Chase, Mary O’Gara and Betty Worthington.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 504 Enderby St., Wilton. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Relatives and friends are invited to call at the church from 4–8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service Wednesday.
A parish rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. Tuesday
The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home in Wilton is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
A special thank you to Deacon Bob Zietlow and to the hospice staff for their comforting works. The family would like to also thank all of those who helped take care of Jim while he was at home.
