James Iozzo

James "Jim" Iozzo, 86, Wausau died Wednesday, March 18, 2015 in Gulf Port, Mississippi. Jim was born August 23, 1928 in Hibbing, Minnesota, son of the late Giuseppe and Mary (Zanoni) Iozzo. On October 20, 1956 he married Georgiana Stahnke in Wausau. She preceded him in death on December 28, 1997. Jim "Jimmy" grew up quickly at the age of 8 when he became an orphan. He worked in the iron ore mines in Hibbing and also worked on the railroad. At the age of 17 he joined the Navy. He was stationed in Wausau as a Navy Recruiter and that is when he met his wife, Georgiana. The Navy took them all over the United States along with a deployment to Rhoda, Spain. After serving his country for 20 years he decided to retire from the Navy as Master Chief E9, and raise his family in Wausau. For the following 15 years, he owned and operated Jim's Refrigeration, however, his true passion was cooking. Sunday's were his day to cook and try new dishes out on his family and friends. He started cooking for local churches, fundraisers, including Newman High School's Night of Elegance. At the age of 50 his dream finally came true and in February of 1979 he opened Iozzo's Italian Foods with his wife and three daughters. In 1986, Jimmy was able to build his own restaurant on the banks of the Eau Claire River. And at that fine dining establishment the legendary half glass of merlot began. He was a member of the Italian Men's Club and the Fleet Reserve Association, and remained a member until the time of his passing. He always said the Navy was his first love and his first family. So in 2010 he moved to Mississippi and went into the Armed Forces Retirement Home where he was able to make many more friends, and was happy to call his new home. Survivors include his children, Joseph "Joe" Iozzo, Wausau and his son, Michael Iozzo, Debbie Iozzo, Hawaii, and her children, Natalie and Melinda "Mindy" Rodehaver, Georgiana Iozzo, Wausau and her children, Danielle and Dominic Lang and Juliane Iozzo, Weston and her daughter, Brooke Furger, two great grandchildren, Ezra and Peyten Gustafson and one great granddaughter, Evelyn Witter expected soon, one step son, Dennis (Sandy) Koneman, Arkansas, two step grandchildren, Linda and Robert Koneman, one sister, Clara Kernney, Hibbing, Minn., and one brother, Joseph (Maxine) Iozzo, Hibbing, Minn. Besides his parents and wife he was preceded in death by one brother, John Iozzo and a brother-in-law, Myron Kernney. The Funeral Mass will be Noon, Saturday April 11, 2015 at St. Florian Catholic Church, Hatley. Rev. Greg Bohren will preside. Friends may call on Friday, April 10, 2015 from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau and again on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to The Never Forgotten Honor Flight, Wausau. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com Out of respect to our founder, Iozzo's Restaurant will be open Friday April 10, and will be closed Saturday April 11 and Sunday April 12, 2015.