James Joseph Zajicek, 83, passed away peacefully on Sat., April 23, 2011 surrounded by his family at Maplewood of Sauk Prairie. He was born on August 27, 1927, the son of the late Frank and Josephine Zajicek. He attended High School in Seneca and Lone Rock. Jim was drafted into the U.S. Air Force during his senior year of high school and served 18 months while being stationed in Japan. He returned home and attended college at UW-Platteville before re-enlisting in the U.S. Army. He spent the next four years serving his country in Germany, before being discharged in June, 1952. In August of 1952 Jim married the love of his life, Marie Grace Kraemer from Plain. Together they raised their family of six children in Sauk City. Jim worked for Badger Ordnance until he took a position in 1954 with the U.S. Post Office in Sauk City. He worked there until his retirement in 1982. He was a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church and Lachmund-Cramer V.F.W. Post 7694.


Jim will be remembered for his love of the outdoors. He spent countless hours on the waters of northern Wisconsin and the lakes surrounding Sauk Prairie with friends and family. Jim had a very quick wit and was very entertaining, especially during his weekly games of cards with family and friends. Jim's favorite past-time was spending time with his grandchildren. From his grandkid's early age he helped in teaching them how to play ball. He especially enjoyed watching them participate in youth and high school sports.


He is survived by his wife, Marie;
his six children, Pat Zajicek, Mary (Rod) Peterson, Gary (Wanda) Zajicek, Ken (Sheila) Zajicek, Jamie (Sylvia) Zajicek and Amy (Rick) Patterson;
eleven grandchildren, Jason, Justin, Jennifer, Rochelle, Ryan, Megan, Matt, Lucas, Brock, Danielle and Trent;
three great-grandchildren, Lydwina, Christian and Laurin;
three sisters, Wynema "Sue" Schmitz, Renora Bremmer and Eileen Angle;
a brother, Paul (Marlys) Zajicek;
brothers and sisters-in-law, Norm (Louise) Kraemer, Bob (Betty) Kraemer, Helen (Dean) Taylor, Monroe Haas, Florence Kraemer, Florence Schluter, Ann (Tom) Gerothanas, Carol (Charles) Wichman and Betty (Brian) Scallon;
numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by
a brother, Galen Zajicek;
brothers and sisters-in-law, Linus Kraemer, Alfred (Helen Marie) Kraemer, Bill Schluter, Ken Schmitz, Bert Bremmer, Raleigh Angle, Loraine Haas and Irene (Bob) Esch.


A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. ALOYSIUS CATHOLIC CHURCH, Sauk City, at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 28, 2011 with Fr. Jared Hood officiating. Interment will be in St. Aloysius Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 9:00 - 11:15am at HOOVERSON FUNERAL HOME, 251 Water St., Sauk City, on Thursday morning.



Jim's family is extremely grateful for the excellent care and kindness Jim received from the staff at HospiceCare, Inc. and Home Health United, Maplewood Nursing Home, and especially his nurse, Emily, and family friend, Mary Lynn. We are also truly grateful for the spirtual guidance from Fr. Jared Hood during this difficult journey.