James "Jim" Harpole

James (Jim) L. Harpole of Minocqua, Wisconsin, passed away on July 4, 2013, at the age of 72. Jim was born in Myrtle, Missouri on November 21, 1940. Jim proudly served in the United States Navy after graduating from Thayer High School in Thayer, Missouri. Jim received a medical retirement from the US Navy after serving with the Pacific Fleet onboard the USS Walke and the USS Yorktown as a 3rd Class Gunner’s Mate. After retirement from the Navy Jim settled in Milwaukee where he raised his four children with his first wife, Audrey. In 1975 Jim dedicated himself full time to his art career and began to paint his iconic Shellscapes, nature scenes painted inside of clam shells harvested from local rivers and streams. Jim owned and operated a number of shops over the years where he sold his artwork and handmade jewelry and other crafts. Jim Moved to the North Woods in 1978, living in Lake Tomahawk, Arbor Vitae, Rhinelander, and at the time of his death in Minocqua with his wife Sandra. Over the years Jim’s artwork has been sold in all 50 states and many countries around the world. There are many faithful collectors of his artwork. For the past several years Jim had been a regular fixture at the Trig’s Mall on Hwy. 70 West in Minocqua, where he painted and sold his artwork. Jim made many good friends at the Trig’s Mall over the years. Jim’s Christian faith was important to him. He was a member of Lakeland Believer’s Church in Woodruff, where he developed many strong friendships and deepened his faith in God. Jim will be deeply missed by all of his family and friends. Jim was preceded in death by his Father, Chester Benjamin, who passed away just one year ago, and his brother Stanley, who died as an infant. Jim is survived by his wife Sandra (nee Conklin), mother Maxine, children Faith (Mike Crowley) Schulenberg, James (Gina), Ilahjean (Randy) Shaw, Fred (Janice), step-daughter Hollie (James) Crenshaw, grandchildren Joshua, Christina, Jacob, Amanda, Jamie, Adam, Angelina, Chad, Beth, and Gabriella, and many great-grandchildren, sisters Joan (Bob) Korb, Kathy (Bernie) Jones, Lyn (Mike) Wood, and many other relatives and friends. Jim’s family would like to thank the medical team at Howard Young Medical Center for their work and outstanding care. The doctors, ICU nurses, technicians, chaplains, and other staff were attentive, caring, and dedicated to Jim’s care and his family’s well being during visits. Funeral arrangements are being made through Nimsgern Funeral & Cremation Services, 1025 Margaret St., Woodruff, WI., 54568, (715) 439-4100. A public visitation will be held on Thursday, July 11, 2013, at the Nimsgern Funeral Home from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., with a Christian service immediately following the visitation. A private (family only) burial will take place on Friday, July 12, 2013, at the Northern Veterans Cemetery in Spooner, WI. Online condolences may be shared at www.nimsgernfuneral.com NIMSGERN FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES IS SERVING THE FAMILY.