James “Jim” Gronowski

December 5, 1947 - February 6, 2023

Koepsell Funeral & Cremation Services (Mayville)

301 North Walnut Street

Mayville, WI 53050

920-387-4440 |

Monday 2/13, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

James (Jim) Gronowski, 75, died Monday February 6th, 2023 at William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison WI. He was born in Milwaukee on December 5th, 1947, the son of the late Edward and Miriam (Witzlsteiner) Gronowski. Jim graduated from Wauwatosa West High School and played football on the 1965 Suburban Conference Championship team.

Jim enlisted in the Air Force in 1966, serving as an inflight armament technician on AC-47s gunships. He was a member of the 3rd Special Operations Squadron and was deployed all over the world including Japan, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. He had a decorated military career, earning a Distinguished Flying Cross, a Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts. Jim was proud of his service and stayed active with various veteran’s organizations including later serving as the commander of the Wind Lake VFW.

Jim returned home in 1971 and enrolled at UW-Milwaukee where he studied botany and geography. He studied under Professor Donn Haglund who had a northern studies program with the Canadian government. Jim made eight trips to the high arctic including Alaska, the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Greenland spending weeks at a time living alongside the Inuit people which was very healing for him. His experiences and work led to him receiving a master’s degree in Geography in 1981. During college he met Ellen Johnston whom he had two children with, Eli and Kelsey.

Jim worked for over 27 years in facility management at Blunt Ellis & Loewi and their subsequent companies.

He loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting. Jim was particularly fond of the time spent hunting with family in Adams County & Rush Lake and his hunting trips to North Dakota. He built a house on Lake Sinissippi in Iron Ridge and served on the Sinissippi Lake District for 14 years.

Jim had a passion for conservation and was involved with Ducks Unlimited for over 40 years. He held various leadership roles including area chairman, lead zone chairman and Wisconsin State Chairman from 2012-2013. Jim was a charismatic leader and would emcee DU dinners and events all over the state. His efforts led to funding projects to protect and restore areas of the Horicon Marsh, Rush Lake and many other wetlands in the state of Wisconsin.

Surviving are his children, Eli (Stephanie) Gronowski of Eldridge, Iowa and Kelsey (Michael) Chandler of Stoughton; one grandchild, Bryce Gronowski; sisters Margaret Petlock and Susan VanCamp; brother William Gronowski. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Martha Hergert.

The family would like to recognize all the support Jim has received over the past few years. Recognition to Jim’s wonderful care team at Marquardt / Commonheart Hospice and the staff at William S. Middleton for providing excellent care.

A Memorial Gathering for Jim will be held on Monday, February 13, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Koepsell Funeral Home in Mayville, Wisconsin with a celebration of life service to follow at a later date.

In lieu of sending flowers donations can be made to Ducks Unlimited.

Koepsell Funeral Home in Mayville is caring for the family. www.Koepsellfh.com

Koepsell Funeral & Cremation Services (Mayville)

301 North Walnut Street

Mayville, WI 53050

920-387-4440 | Map

Monday 2/13, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

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To honor my brother Jim, my family would like to plant a tree in his honor. He cared deeply about restoration efforts for wetlands and forest areas.

A memorial tree was planted in memory of James Gronowski . Plant a Tree

May your soul and the souls of the departed Rest In Peace. Graebel Family

We are so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. He was a very special person that I feel very fortunate to call a friend and mentor. We will think of him often as the sun sets over the lake and the birds quiet at the end of the day. Condolences to his family. Mike and Ellen Perkins

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Chuck and I were lucky to be friends and neighbors with Jim. It took a few years for Jim to feel comfortable enough to just drop in but it became a ritual on nice summer days to have happy hour down by the lake. He took our teasing well. We nicknamed him Jimmy Pickup Sticks or just Sticks because he was ALWAYS with his grabber and wheelbarrow. I would give him such a hard time about his work pants. There was more tape than material! His response was to roll his eyes and say nah they’re still good. We loved his stories, his humor and well him.

Condolences from Lake Sinissippi Improvement District - Friends and Colleagues

Secret Garden Basket was purchased for the family of James Gronowski by Christine Lilek - Chair LSID. Send Flowers

A tree was also planted in memory of James Gronowski

So sad to hear of Jim's passing, and I'm so grateful to have been able to call Jim a friend. We got to know each other in the course of his work with the local lake district as well as the association, and our paths crossed socially many times...he was a terrific guy to sit down and talk and have a beer with...always, without fail, positive, kind, and generous with his thoughts. I was a newcomer to the area 20 years ago and Jim was really one of the very first - maybe THE first - to warm up to me and give me a chance, and I never forgot that, was always thankful for it. But that was just his nature; he would give people a chance. I really feel like we always trusted each other and again, he was always open with his thoughts and views on important and not so important matters in his life and all he was involved in. And he was obviously involved in a lot; Jim was instrumental in so many important causes; in spite of any challenges he always found time to contribute his time, talent, expertise, and intelligence to things that mattered. Like so many others, I'll really miss him. Rest in peace, my friend.

Deepest sympathies Eli and family

A memorial tree was planted in memory of James Gronowski . Plant a Tree

Kelsey, we are so very sorry to hear about your Dad. You and Mike are in our thoughts.

Lovely One Spathiphyllum Plant was purchased for the family of James Gronowski by Anonymous. Send Flowers

A tree was also planted in memory of James Gronowski

My sympathies to Kelsey and Eli. My gratitude for knowing and loving your father.

Florist’s Choice Bouquet was purchased for the family of James Gronowski by Greg Farnham. Send Flowers

Jim was a special and dear friend. I hold in my heart memories of my times with Jim, sharing our hopes, dreams and gratitude for our lives. He was a good man in a world that needs more good men. My sympathies to his wonderful children, Kelsey and Eli.

Jim you will be missed, we will miss seeing you in Hustisford and at the Duck Unlimited meat raffle in Rush Lake. Steve and I are so happy we got to meet you. Our condolences to Jim's family, he was one of a kind. Rest in peace Jim.

We will miss "Jim ". His humor, smile and laughter at Ducks Unlimited events will never be forgotten. Someday will share another beer together.

A memorial tree was planted in memory of James Gronowski . Plant a Tree

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.