James Dresen Hepola of Prairie du Sac passed away peacefully April 13, 2021 at the Pines Assisted Living in Prairie du Sac. Jim was born on August 31, 1929 in Madison, Wisconsin. He graduated from Madison West High School in 1948 and attended the University of Wisconsin. He married June Kanstrup on November 12, 1949. She preceded him in death in 1967. Andrew, Thomas, Mark, John, Mary and Christopher were born to this union. On August 3, 1968, Jim married Mabel Ballweg Zander, and Mabel and her son Joseph became a part of the family. In 1970, Jim and Mabel became parents to twin boys, Douglas and David.

Jim learned the cheesemaking business from his father in law, Andy Kanstrup. He owned and operated Ash Creek Cheese Factory near Richland Center until 1956. In 1956 he began his career with Northwestern Mutual in Richland Center. In 1963 he was appointed district agent for Northwestern Mutual in Richland Center and in 1969, became general agent of the Oshkosh agency for Northwestern Mutual, until his retirement in 1993. He was dedicated to his career and after 37 years he retired.

In retirement he loved to fish, especially at the family cabin in Northern Minnesota. He was a good golfer and spent many hours on the links. He loved his family and traveled to far flung locations to visit them. His children were spread out from Wisconsin to Minnesota, to Alaska, to Colorado and Arizona. He was always ready to host his family when they would visit. He enjoyed playing cards, especially cribbage, which he taught his children at a young age.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife June, wife Mabel, brother Wayne (Mary), sister Jeanne (Robert) and many brothers and sisters-in-law.

He is survived by his children, Andy (Ginny), Tom (Brenda), Mark (Beth), John (Kathy), Mary (Tom), Chris (Tracy), Joe Zander (Carolyn), Doug (Kathy), David (Catherine). Also, 14 grandchildren; Eric, Max, Troy, Hannah, Suzanne, Nick, Claudia, James, Olivia, Jacob, Claire, Gillian, August, Zoe, and great grandson, Jason.

A funeral Mass  will be held on Monday, April 19, 2021 at 11:00 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, in Sauk City. There will be a visitation starting at 9:00 until 10:45  at Hooverson Funeral Home in Sauk City.