James (Jim) Walter Friese

James (Jim) Walter Friese, 87,  of Sandwich , IL was peacefully called home to be with the Lord on June 2, 2022 after a long and courageous battle with multiple myeloma.  He was born on the family farm in Stewardson, IL, on September 8, 1934, the son of Walter Harold and Florence Elisa Carolina Friese (Buesking).  James attended Trinity Lutheran School until 8th grade and graduated from Stewardson-Strasburg High School in 1952. He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Linda Durland, on February 14, 1977. 

Jim was a loving and devoted husband, brother, proud father of 11 and was blessed beyond measure with many grandchildren and great grandchildren.  James retired from Caterpillar after 30 years of service and completed his career retiring again as the building inspector for the City of Sandwich where he enjoyed the many friendships he made throughout the community.  James enjoyed spending time with his wife Linda, being silly with his grandchildren and visiting with family more than anything. He was an avid sports fan, loved to play solitaire, was a sweets lover, and enjoyed exchanging stories with anyone willing to listen.  Anyone who came in contact with Jim knew him to be friendly, loving and kind. He didn’t know a stranger and had a gift for making people feel at ease. He was most proud of his family, loved unconditionally and was fiercely loyal. Jim defied the odds of his illness many times throughout the years, without a single complaint. His fighting spirit provided his family with additional days to love on him and make him laugh, allowed him to see his adult children thrive, and gave him the opportunity to hold his last born grandchild.  

Jim is survived by his wife, Linda; daughters, Jackie (Mike) Allison, Kathy (Rennie) Bahr; Laurie (Jason) Hicks, Jennifer (Zachary) Kern, Jamie (Jeremy) Fitch, daughter in law, Donna Friese and sons Richard (Dale) Friese, Jeffrey (Melinda) Friese, Mark (Jo) Friese, Jay (Sylwia) Friese; sisters Zelma Shouse, Maureen Lugar, Carol Glenn, Janet Friese (Dorothy Gammon),  Nelda (Charlie) McCoy and sister in law, Beverly Friese; 32 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his son Michael Friese, daughter Rhonda Hoffman, daughter in law Lori Friese, brother Ronald Friese, sister Maxine Doeding and his parents, Walter and Florence Friese.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 at Beverage Family Funeral Home in Sandwich, IL. A private family Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 9, 2022 at Beverage Family  Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Beverage Family Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.beveragefamilyfh.com