James E. Holberg

James Ernest “Jim” Holberg, 86, of La Crosse, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 2, 2017, at Mayo Clinic Health System of La Crosse.

He was born in La Crosse on March 24, 1931, to Ernest and Myrtle (Raatz) Holberg. At the age of 14, he began working for his dad as an auto mechanic at Holberg's Cities Service on 8 ^th and Jackson. He graduated from Central High School in 1949 and enlisted in the Army in 1952. He trained at Fort Knox, Ky., and served active duty in Korea until October, 1953. He received the United Nations Service Medal and the Korean Service Medal with three bronze service stars. He married Betty Kastenschmidt on June 30, 1955, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in La Crosse. They were married 61 years. When Jim's dad retired in 1970, Jim continued to work as an auto mechanic at Hemker Oil, Frank-Len, Good Year Tire and Rubber, and Merfeld's until health problems forced him to retire.

Jim was president of the Jaycees, and a member of the Lions Club, the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the National Korean War Veterans Association. He was active in the Powell-Hamilton-Hood Neighborhood Association and Skates for Kids, and was a proud member of the 49ers Club.

He is survived by his daughter, Debra (Mark) Byers of Idaho Falls, Idaho; grandchildren, Andrea (Jonathan) Smith of Las Vegas, Nev., and James (Ann) Chadwick of Idaho Falls; great-grandchildren, Alion, Alira, Mako, Payton and Madison Chadwick, and a Smith baby boy on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Larry Holberg; and his wife, Betty.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, August 17 ^th , at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 200 West Avenue So., La Crosse. Reverend Mark Carr, chaplain, will officiate. Burial, with military honors, will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery. Friends may call from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home and also from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service on Thursday.