James Stanley Misch

James “Jimmy” S. Misch, age 70, of La Crosse, WI, rode his way into Heaven on June 20, 2022. Jim died from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. Jim was born June 18, 1952, in La Crosse, WI, to Stanley and Patricia (Fema) Misch. Jim lived in Whitehall, WI before his family moved to Rockford, IL. He attended West High school and found his passion for muscle cars and motorcycles. Jim later moved to La Crosse, WI, where he met, and married Jacquelyn Pfaff in 1974. They had two children together, Janelle and Jamie. He remarried Julia Hengel on May 2, 1981, and they had one child, Megan.

Jimmy was introduced to trucking by Jaci’s father, Arleigh, and enjoyed a long career in the trucking business, working for Gateway Foods and Glendenning, while spending most of his career with ANR. He was a member of the Teamsters Union. He was a hard worker and didn’t like to sit still, thus taking a job with Municipal Transit after retirement. He met many good friends while employed for MTU, and even founded The Breakfast Club gang. He loved his fresh, hot coffee, and was known as “Mr. Coffee”.

Jimmy has been described as having a heart of gold. He was generous and kind. He enjoyed his walks, his afternoon “mulberries” on his recliner, taking care of his pristine lawn (and watching it grow from his front window, coffee in hand), and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, dance recitals, and special functions at school. He loved his animals and his family. He had an amazing ability to fix cars and lived for long rides on his Harley. His children would get a mileage update daily. Jimmy had a quirky personality, a contagious laugh, and he will be greatly missed.

Jim is survived by his children, Janelle (Curt) Edwardson, Jamie (Becky) Misch, and Megan (Tom) Jones; and his grandchildren, Alex, Eli and Avri Edwardson, Jack and Madison Misch, and Tyadrian, Tyoin, Tyleah, and Tydraya Jones. He is further survived by his sisters, Shirley (Ron) Harker and Annette Lawrence; mother-in-law, Erika Hengel; sisters-in-law, Pam (Brad) Benrud, Cindy Misch, Peggy (Rich) Schelbe; brothers-in-law, Mike and Matt (Hnin) Hengel; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 33 years Julie Misch; his parents, Stanley and Patricia Misch; brothers, Ernie and Stevie Misch; niece, Sheila Harker; and father-in-law, Richard Hengel.

Jimmy’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurse who stopped to help before the first responders arrived. It gives us great peace to know that he was not alone. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the first responders throughout several counties that assisted on scene. We know that you all went above and beyond. Jim’s children are so grateful that they each were able to spend time with him in the days prior to his unexpected death.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, July 28th, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 200 West Ave. So., in La Crosse, WI. Burial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on July 29th, at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in La Crosse, WI. A Celebration of Jim’s life will follow, starting at 2:00 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Ridge Park in La Crosse, WI. Please feel free to wear your Hawaiin attire (Jimmy was fond of wearing his “dressy” Hawaiian shirt) and bring a special coffee mug to toast Jim.