James A. Karau

James A. Karau went to his eternal rest on November 20, 2017. He was born July 23, 1935 in Spencer, Wisconsin. Jim graduated from Spencer High School and attended UW-River Falls. He married Nancy Weister on June 7, 1958. Jim was the father of two children, Tim Karau and Tracey Scharbarth. He loved them both dearly and thrived on being a constant part of their lives. Jim and Nancy were the owners of Abby Ag Lime during the 1970s and 80s. Jim was also a consultant at Vulcan Materials. He was a generous and selfless man, which was evident through his time serving as a member of the Spencer Village Board, Spencer State Bank Board of Directors, and volunteer fireman/EMT. Jim lovingly welcomed both a son-in-law, Don Scharbarth, and daughter-in-law, Kathy Niemiec, into his family and treated them as his own children. Jim was also blessed with two grandchildren, Tyler and Abby Scharbarth, whom he clearly adored and in which he took great pride. They will always remember him as the greatest Grandpa ever. He was eagerly looking forward to welcoming new granddaughter-in-law, Jill Castro, into the family in August of 2018. Family was the most important part of Jim’s life. He doted on his children and grandchildren and was lovingly involved in all aspects of their lives. Jim never missed a school or sporting event for his children and grandchildren. He loved watching and supporting the Spencer Rockets, Lakeland T-Birds, and UW- La Crosse Eagles. Jim was also a huge fan of Wisconsin Badger football and basketball. While he enjoyed watching sports, Jim was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing. Over the years Jim went on many big game hunts and Canadian fishing trips. Jim especially loved bear hunting and was a devoted houndsman. He truly enjoyed the Northwoods, and some of his fondest memories are of his deer hunting trips near Phillips, WI with his brothers and close friends. Jim was also proud to be a member of the Men's Morning Coffee Club of Minocqua. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Marion Karau, his brother Elmer Karau (Chy) and his sister Helen (Ron) Huber. Jim is survived by wife, Nancy, his Children: Tim (Kathy) Karau and Tracey (Don) Scharbarth and Grandchildren; Tyler (Jill Castro) and Abby Scharbarth. Further survived by his brothers Mel (Roselle) Karau and Bob (Carol) Karau and brother-in-law: Roll (Ivy) Weister and sisters-in-law: Sharon Knoll and Chy Karau. Other family members, friends, hunting buddies, and hound dogs will miss him dearly. Visitation will be at 9 a.m. with a service to follow at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 24 at Peace Lutheran Church in Arbor Vitae, WI.
Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Woodruff, WI.
Online condolences may be shared at www.nimsgernfuneral.com
NIMSGERN FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES OF WOODRUFF, WI IS SERVING THE FAMILY.