James A. Ehrsam

James A. Ehrsam, 96, passed away Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at Gundersen Health Systems surrounded by his wife and family.  He is survived by his beloved wife of 35 years, Betty (Rust) Ehrsam and his children Michael (Delores) Ehrsam, Jane (John) Shuey, Kathleen (Robert) Ehrsam-Christianson, Mary (Mark) Ehrsam-Padesky, Michael (Diana) Powell and David (Gena) Powell.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, Ruby (Wagner) & Edward Ehrsam, his first wife, Elsie (Pederson) Ehrsam in 1973 and by his son, Thomas A. Ehrsam in 2013.

Grandpa Jim had 12 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren all of whom felt his very large presence in their lives.  As one of them said in hearing of Grandpa’s death, “there was never a time when Grandpa WASN’T a part of my life.”

An only child, Jim relished his large family celebrations, occurring frequently when the situation presented itself but always on Christmas Eve and during his birthday month, July, when the celebration lasted throughout the entire month with friends and family stopping at his treasured boathouse.  On his actual birthday, the number attending meant there was a need for another dock next to the boathouse to accommodate everyone eating Sloppy Joes and birthday cake.  The grandkids, and now great-grandkids, loved to fish with Grandpa Jim and he could still filet the tiniest sunfish for his famous fish fries.

Jim had a long and varied career.  He returned to La Crosse in 1946 following his service in the US Navy during WWII on the USS Block Island in the Pacific saying “I was halfway around the world before I was 19.”  He married Elsie Beth Pederson in 1948 and they had five children.

In 1954, Jim joined the La Crosse Fire Department and rose to the rank of Captain before retiring in 1989.  Jim always had a second (and sometimes third) side job most notably as a successful insurance agent and instructor for volunteer firemen throughout the local region. He was a life member of the Wisconsin Society of Emergency Services Instructors.

In 1986, Jim was elected to the La Crosse County Board and found his real passion in serving the community he loved.  He was on the County Board from 1986-2008 and he served as County Board Chairman from 1990-2002.  Additionally, he served on the Wisconsin Counties Association Board (WCA) for fourteen years and as its President there in 2003-2004. Jim also continued to serve on local and state boards for many years including Workforce Connections, Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission and International Trade, Business and Economic Development Council.

Jim and Betty loved to travel including to London, Greece and many other countries throughout Europe.  They also loved going to Florida and Mexico in the cold winter months escaping Wisconsin winters. Jim’s  greatest love, however, was the sun and fun at his boathouse in summer hanging out with friends and family.

A confirmed “river rat,” Jim spent much of his youth and all of his adulthood on the river.  His boathouse on the Black River is an institution.  His advice and counsel on anything boathouse related has been frequently sought by new owners and anyone with a problem.  He developed a special friendship as a mentor to boathouse neighbor, Alvis Norman.  Alvis, in turn, acted as Jim’s long term personal trainer.

While Jim often lamented the loss of so many friends as he aged, he was amazingly able to continue developing new friendships.  In the days since his death, there have been countless people who have mentioned the special connection they felt with Jim.  He was a trusted source of wisdom and life lessons.

With a large family and two if not three jobs at one time, Jim also managed a life of service.  When Mike and Tom were young, he chartered Boy Scout Troop 39 at Holy Trinity and acted as Scout Master for many years.  He was a major force developing the Holy Trinity Chicken Q which became a massive fundraiser.  And as his sons aged out of the Scouts, Jim was a founder of the Holy Trinity Men’s Club and served on the Parish Council. Additionally,  he believed strongly in credit unions and served on the La Crosse Fire Fighter’s Credit Union board for more than fifty years.

Christmas Eve this year was again a time  of great festivity with children, grandchildren and great grand children coming from as  far as London and Santiago, as well as Wisconsin and Minnesota to Jim and Betty’s house.  The traditions continued with the gift exchange game and snowshoe drinks.

Picturing Jim in Heaven is easy – it’s always summer at the boathouse and he’s playing poker with Tom. The beer is always cold and the jar of candies is never empty.  And Heaven is an all-inclusive resort which is music to Jim’s ears.

A special thank you to all medical staff at Gundersen Lutheran  who took care of Jim most recently and throughout his long life.

A visitation will be held on Friday, January 12th from 4-7pm at Schumacher-Kish Funeral & Cremation Services, 200 West Ave. South and again at the church on Saturday from 9 am until the time of service. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 13th at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1333 South 13th Street, La Crosse.  Rev. Rick Roberts will officiate.  Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Holy Trinity Parish, Gundersen Medical Foundation or the charity of your choice