James Lee Espeseth

James “Jim” Lee Espeseth passed away on February 16, 2017 with his wife Elisabeth by his side.
He was born on May 5, 1938 in Ironwood, MI as James Lee Boring to Carrie A. Childers and Henry C. Boring. Unforeseen circumstances at the age of 3, led to his adoption by Helen E. Minkley and Espen S. Espeseth, former owners of Sayner Lodge in Sayner, WI. Jim spent most of his childhood growing up at the resort. He attended schools in Eagle River, WI and attended Western Military Academy in Alton, IL where he graduated in 1956. He proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959 as an MP, eventually being stationed in Heidelberg, Germany. It was while there that he met his wife, Luise “Elisabeth” Schick . They were together for 58 years. In 1966, Jim joined the Rhinelander City Police Department, retiring as Sgt. with 23 years of service. Due to declining health, Jim was residing at Wisconsin Veterans Home at King.
He was preceded in death by both his biological and adoptive parents; his sisters Louanne Moon, Ethel Taylor, Virginia Ingram; and brother’s Richard and Larry Boring.
Jim is survived by his wife, Elisabeth of the home in Woodruff; his brothers, Duane Boring and Calvin Shucha; his son Mark (Maggie) Espeseth of Woodruff; daughters Dianne (John) Bathe of Houston, TX and Susan Shepardson of Woodruff. He had 7 grandchildren: Ashley (Mark) Dellagiacoma; Matt Bathe, Katy Shepardson, Scott Zeinert, Leslie (Dan) Westerhausen, Katie (Patrick) Hoffman, and Becca Zeinert. He had 3 great-grandchildren: Marley Dellagiacoma, Andrew and Hannah Westerhausen.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, March 11th, 2017 from 4 to 6 pm at Nimsgern Funeral Home Chapel in Woodruff, WI. His granddaughter, Reverend Ashley Dellagiacoma will be officiating the service at 6:00 PM with Military Honors to follow.
Online condolences may be shared at www.nimsgernfuneral.com
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his memory to : Oneida County Veteran’s Service, Oneida County Courthouse, P.O. Box 400, 1 S. Oneida Ave., Rhinelander, WI 54501-0400 (715) 369-6127.
NIMSGERN FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES OF WOODRUFF, WI IS SERVING THE FAMILY