James C Bong

James C. Bong, 74, Lake Nebagamon, WI, died Wednesday, January 1, 2014 at Solvay Hospice House, Duluth, MN.

He was born on April 7, 1939, the youngest of nine children of Carl and Dora Bong and was raised in Poplar, WI.

He graduated from Northwestern High School in 1957 where he lettered four years in basketball.

James was drawn to sailing the Great Lakes and worked on the Herbert C. Jackson with the Pickands Mather Company.

He then moved to Milwaukee where he worked for Harnischfeger Corporation, retiring after 36 years.

Following his retirement, he moved back home.

On August 4, 1962 he married Nancy Miller at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Lake Nebagamon and recently celebrated 51 years of marriage.

James enjoyed hunting, fishing, four-wheeling, playing poker with his buddies, bowling and his four legged friends, Sophie and Sadie.

In addition to his wife Nancy, James is survived by three children, Rissa Bong, Milwaukee, WI, James (Diane Kronberg) Bong, Milwaukee, WI, Suzanne (Jon) Scharff, Memphis, TN; granddaughters, Kaitlyn, Madeline, Julia, Elana, Kaycie, Rebecca and Sarah; his siblings, Geraldine “Jerry” Fechtelkotter, Carl “Bud” (Anna) Bong, Joyce Erickson, Barbara “Bobby” Peterman; brother-in-law, Don Miller; sister-in-law, Betty Kroeger, many loving nieces, nephews, friends and relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Major Richard I. Bong and three sisters, Nelda Peterson, Betty Bong and Sue Bong.

Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM until the 2:00 PM Memorial Service on Friday, January 10, 2014 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Lake Nebagamon with Pastor Darrell Kyle, officiating.

Burial will be in Lake Nebagamon Cemetery at a later date.

Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Solvay Hospice House, 801 Baylis St., Duluth, MN, 55811 or the Trinity Lutheran Church, 11416 E. 1st Street No., Lake Nebagamon, WI 54849.

To send a condolence or sign the on-line guest book, visit our website at www.lenroot-maetzold.com.