James H. Kornowski

James H. "Jim" Kornowski 64, 1503 Summit Drive, Wausau, died suddenly Sunday February 3, 2008 at Fairview Southdale Hospital, Edina Minn., of a massive heart attack with his son, Karl at his side. He was born at home, December 7, 1943, in Green Bay, son of Agnes (Suski) Kornowski, Green Bay and the late Thomas B. Kornowski. On June 10, 1972, he married Mary M. Tetzlaff at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau, presided by the late Rev. Joseph Tetzlaff. A graduate of Green Bay East High School, Jim received a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point with a major in Mathematics and Forestry. Plans for a Fellowship in Forestry at the University of Michigan were interrupted when he was called to military service. He proudly served his country in the US Army and was a veteran of the Viet Nam War. Prior to his retirement at age 55, Jim had been employed with IBM as a Systems Engineer for 30 years. He truly enjoyed his career which kept him in Central Wisconsin allowing him to enjoy the northwoods and fishing. After retirement, he established JMK Consulting working part time with several clients. Jim was a 35 year member of The Church of St. Anne, Wausau, serving on the Parish Council and currently on the Finance Council. He had also coached the fifth and sixth grade basketball teams for St. Anne School. He was a 30 year member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Rhinelander and a member of the American Legion Alois Dreikosen Post No. 469, Marathon. Jim loved sports and was a high school quarterback and a State Wrestling Champ and record holder at UWSP. Jim was a very giving and loving individual who touched many lives with his kindness and generosity. He was well liked and a friend to many. Possessing great wit, Jim never liked to draw attention to himself. He was very proud of his son Karl and was always there for him. It was only fitting that Karl would be there for him in his last hours. Ever ready to go the extra mile, Jim liked to do "those little things" in a creative and fun fashion. Never needing much, Jim was content with the simple pleasures of life. He loved the outdoors and had a lifelong passion for fishing. Jim loved being at the cottage that he and Mary had for 30 years, always working in the woods, hauling sand and improving the shoreline. He gave tender loving care to every tree on the 18 acres. He enjoyed helping others with their projects especially if it was outdoors. He hosted the annual 'opening of fishing' weekend at the lake and always had a creative fishing contest, adding to the fun. He also enjoyed turkey hunting near Ettrick, Wis., with his hunting partner, Bill. He was so pleased to have received a permit for this years hunt in April. Jim loved his nieces and nephews and treated them as his own. He enjoyed all the interaction with them and supported all their activities. He truly was a special "Uncle Jim". The most cherished of all are his two grandsons, Ethan James, two and a half years old and Adam Peter, five months old. His last hours were spent at Karl and Michelle's playing with Ethan and holding Adam. He was so grateful to have all the opportunities to spend time with them and do projects for them. Jim is survived by his wife, Mary, son and daughter-in-law, Karl and Michelle, grandsons, Ethan James and Adam Peter, Chisago City, Minn, Mother, Agnes Kornowski, Green Bay, brothers, John Kornowski, Green Bay, Don (Veronica) Kornowski, Fla., and brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert (Arlove) Tetzlaff, Pulaski, Karen (Kurt) Holm, Neenah, George (Jackie) Tetzlaff, Weston, Jane (David) Runzheimer, Wausau, Jean (Larry) Wargowsky, Necedah, nieces and nephews, Todd (Lissette) Tetzlaff and their children, Ryan, Marissa/Godchild, Kristina, Troy (Carrie) Tetzlaff; Sara/Godchild (Nick) Exarhos, Christian Holm; Brian and Tami Tetzlaff; Curtis (Allison) Tetzlaff; Aaron (Jennifer) Wargowsky and Tanner; Anna Wargowsky, Michelle Graham and Heather; Joe, John, Rachel, Tim and Andy Kornowski and many relatives and friends. Besides his father, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Allison, sister, Irene, infant sister, Mary Jane, a sister-in-law, Carolen Kornowski. The funeral mass will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 9, 2008 at The Church of St. Anne, Wausau. Rev. Steven Brice and Rev. Thomas McInnis will preside. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau, where full Military Honors will be conducted by members of the Marathon American Legion. Friends may call Friday from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau and again Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the church. There will be an American Legion Service at 6:00 p.m. and a parish vigil service at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com