James (Jim or Jimmy) W. Haws, 73, of Sparta passed away Thursday, April 30, 2015, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, with his family at his side.
Jimmy was born March 22, 1942, to Walter and Alta (Westby) at home in the town of Ridgeville. For the last 31 years, he has been joined with his best friend and partner, Linda Fitzsimmons. Together they enjoyed going “junking” and watching baseball games. Jimmy was a very talented artist. He could look at a picture in a book and draw it perfectly. Then his creative partner, Linda, would add the color. Together they were a wonderful team.
Jimmy was a jack-of-all-trades, a real handyman who would give someone who needed it the shirt off his back. He worked on the family farm in the town of Ridgeville and at the Tillman’s in Wilton. Jim enjoyed helping his brother Gene at his shop, “Gene’s Tractor Service.” He was a creative lawn-ornament creator too. He built most of them out of wood and sold them to many adoring fans. When he wasn’t working, Jimmy enjoyed going fishing with his family and friends.
Jimmy is survived by his lifelong partner, Linda Fitzsimmons; two sisters, Ruth Dennison and Corrine (Jim) Cameron; his nieces and nephews, Terri (Thomas Jr.) Bean, Tonia (fiancé Rich Hale), Trish Gorn, Eugene (Lauren) Haws, Tabitha (fiancé Shane Woods) Parker, Jason Dennison and Marjorie Cameron; a sister-in-law, Joyce Finn; many great-nieces and great-nephews; many great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews; and a lot of dear friends.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Roseann; and a brother Eugene Haws.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, May 4, at the Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home in Sparta. Burial will follow at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in the town of Ridgeville. Family and friends are invited for visitation Monday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home in Sparta.
Jim’s family would like to thank the Gundersen Lutheran sixth-floor nurses, doctors and other staff for all of the compassion and wonderful care that they gave Jim and Linda during his stay with them.
Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
