Mt. Hope – James L. “Jim” Blotz, age 75, died on Thursday morning Feb. 26, 2015 at the Fennimore Good Samaritan Society. Jim was born on Nov. 3, 1939 in Dodgeville, WI the son of Paul and Genevieve (Laufenberg) Blotz. He married Mary L. Beecher on Sept. 9, 1962 in Hollandale, WI.
Following graduation from Dodgeville High School in 1958, Jim was engaged in farming most of his life. He had a love for all animals and enjoyed helping his daughters show their prized Ayrshire cattle, especially his favorite cow, Crystal. Jim was a hard working man. When free time became available, he enjoyed fishing, playing euchre and dirty clubs, socializing at Home-A-Gins in Mt. Hope, his dogs and giving the grandkids a hard time.
Jim is survived by his seven children and 23 grandchildren; Mark Blotz of Patch Grove with children Ashley Kuhn, Amber (Daniel) Fernburg, Rebecca and Cole Blotz; Chris (Wendy Hardy) Blotz of Fennimore with children Tim Dresen, Annette (Larry) Colsch, Lucas (Angela) Hardy, and Hunter Blotz; Betty Blotz of Fennimore with children Jason (Amy) Pitzer, and Mathew (Jordan) Pitzer; Tammy (Mark) Breuer of Patch Grove with children Audrey (Cory Rundell) Fecht, Joseph Arndt, Pamela and Brett Breuer; Charlotte (Jim) Kreul of Fennimore with children Joshua and Alicia Bradley, Brittany (Bryce Kazda) Bradley, and Bailey Kreul; Sara (Kevin) Wilson of Fennimore with children Reid, Braxton, and Lexi Wilson; and Jaci (Jason) Gilbertston of Hollandale with children Cory and Trevor Gilbertson. Jim is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren and seven siblings; Marilyn McAlpine of Stillwater, MN, Jack (Charlene) Blotz of Mineral Point, Sharon (Richard) Rock of Darlington, Patricia Blotz of Dodgeville, Michael (Shirley) Blotz of Dodgeville, Colleen Watters of Mineral Point, and Tim (Jean) Blotz of Dodgeville, his ex-wife Mary L. Blotz of Fennimore and his special friend Arlene.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Anthony Blotz, brother-in-laws Leo McAlpine and Doug Watters, and his beloved dogs Spud and Spike.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Monday Mar. 2, 2015 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fennimore with burial to follow in St. Lawrence O’Toole Catholic Church Cemetery in Mt. Hope Twsp., Grant Co., WI. A visitation will be held from 2:00 – 5:00 P.M. on Sunday afternoon March 1, 2015 at the Larson Family Funeral Home in Fennimore.