James George Guggenbuehl

James G. Guggenbuehl, 83, of La Crescent, MN, died at his home on Thursday, May 25, 2023. He was born in La Crosse, WI, on March 12, 1940, to George and Regina (Dolle) Guggenbuehl. On May 1, 1965, Jim married Karen Mach and she preceded him in death on April 5, 2020. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving from July of 1957 until 1963. Jim had worked for Norplex Oak (later Allied Signal) as a Lab Technician and had many other part-time jobs including driving bus, bartending at the Sand Bar in Brownsville, MN, and following his retirement, working in the distribution Center for Kwik Trip. Jim was a very unique person with a stubborn heart. He was a very meticulous resourceful man with many hobbies. He bowled for many years at Shamrock Lanes in La Crescent, built and flew radio-controlled airplanes and transformed his basement a couple different times into an extravagant model railroad setup. He did not like to sit still and was well known for the practical jokes he would play such as hiding fake rats, spiders, and snakes to scare his wife. During the holidays, Jim enjoyed making sugar cookies and he was especially proud of them. He also loved to make sauerkraut and lefse and was very proud of his “snake” steak that he would make for special occasions. Jim enjoyed traveling to Laughlin, NV, and talked often of riding the burros into the Grand Canyon. He also enjoyed sitting down with family and friends to play cards or shake some dice. One of his favorite memories was his trip to Redwing, MN, where he hit the jackpot on a $25.00 five card draw machine. He Is survived by his four children, Ann (Scott) Diehl, Lisa (Darren) Engh, Jeff (Angela Wright) Guggenbuehl, and Julie Guggenbuehl; six grandchildren, Jacob (Kadie Krzykowski) Engh, Max Engh, Katie (Chris) Jeffers, Jonathon and Alex Guggenbuehl, and Maria Wright; and one great granddaughter, Stella Jeffers. In addition to his loving wife Karen of 55 years and his parents, he was preceded by his twin brothers, Richard and Robert Guggenbuehl, and sisters, Dolores (Douglas) Schindler and Patricia (Lawrence) Breen. Memorial services with military honors will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crescent. Deacon Jerry Trocinske will officiate. Burial will be in the Crucifixion Catholic Cemetery, La Crescent. Friends may call on the family at the funeral home on Thursday morning from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services.