James J Forster
James J. Forster, 58, of Menomonie died peacefully on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at Red Cedar Medical Center. A beloved husband, father, brother, uncle and friend, Jim was surrounded by family and friends until his death. After being diagnosed in December of 2007 with Myelodysplasia, a type of cancer that is a precursor to Leukemia, he under went a bone marrow transplant in May of 2008 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. While staying at the Gift of Life Transplant House he and his family met and inspired many patients who became dear friends.
Born May 13, 1950 in Durand to Harry J. and Edna V. (Schlosser) Forster, Jim was the third of five children. He married Jeanne Luhm on April 1, 1978 and they were blessed with three children: Nathan, Amanda, and Chelsey who died in infancy.
After graduating from Durand High School, Jim attended and graduated Magna Cum Ladue from the UW Eau Claire in 1972 with a degree in Comprehensive Social Welfare. Jim devoted his life to people and to preserving God’s creation. These two priorities formed a successful integration that developed into an illustrious career in conservation. In 1974 Jim became the first County Conservationist in Dunn County and directed the Land Conservation Department for the next 34 years. Professionally Jim secured many grants and won many awards as he strived to protect, preserve and enhance the natural resources of Dunn County. Soil erosion, water quality, wetland restoration and preserving the rural character of Dunn County were some of Jim’s priorities. Away from the office Jim volunteered his skills in many ways. Developing the Outdoor Conservation Club at the Menomonie Middle School, teaching Hunter Education, and creating hunting and fishing opportunities for the disabled were very important to him. Jim was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, and active in the Knights of Columbus. While serving as Grand Knight Jim was instrumental in organizing the Lenten Fish Boils.
Jim loved God, his church, his family, and his friends and was a blessing to all of them. He loved to share in hunting, fishing, ice fishing, canoeing, skiing, travel and family weddings. In all that he did he gave his heart and soul and touched many lives with his love.
Jim is survived by his wife of 30 years, Jeanne, a son Nathan of Menomonie, a daughter Amanda Forster of River Falls; brothers Chuck (JoAnn) of Eau Claire and Steve (Sue) of Bloomington, MN; sisters Judy (Bob) Heike, of Durand and Audrey (Tom) Pannier of Turlock, CA; and eleven nieces and nephews; mother-in-law, Joyce Luhm of Eau Claire. Jim was preceded in death by his infant daughter Chelsey, his father and mother, Harry and Edna Forster; father-in-law Brownie Luhm; and brother-in-law Buzz Luhm.
Mass of Christian burial will be 11:00 AM Saturday, January 17, 2009 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Menomonie. Rev. Thomas Krieg will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Durand. Family and friends may call from 3 to 8 PM Friday at the Rhiel Funeral Home in Menomonie, a Recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet prayer service will be at 3:30 PM and a Celebration of Life service will be at 7:30 PM. Friends may also call one hour prior to the service at the Church on Saturday.
The family would like to thank Dr. Jim Walker and the staff at the Red Cedar Medical Center, Dr. Letendre and Dr. Elliott at the Mayo Clinic, staff and friends we met at the Gift of Life Transplant House and all those who participated in any way in the many bone marrow drives on Jim’s behalf. All monetary memorials will be used in memory of Jim.
Arrangements by the Rhiel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Menomonie.