James Burkhardt Halferty

James Burkhardt Halferty, age 87, of Driggs, Idaho, formerly of Lancaster, died Wednesday, March 28, 2018 after a long battle with Alzheimers Disease. He was born October 9, 1930, in Lancaster the son of Clay Evans Halferty and Leona Florence (Burkhardt) Halferty. James graduated from Lancaster High School in 1948. He received a bachelor’s degree in economics and a juris doctorate from the University of Wisconsin. After completing law school, James began his career in Chippewa Falls and shortly after, returned to Lancaster where he opened his own office and practiced for more than 50 years. After a brief courtship, he married Jo Anne Bullock of La Crosse on Sept. 19, 1964, and remained happily married for 45 years.

James’ law practice varied. He ran his own law office, served as Grant County district attorney and taught classes in criminal justice and procedure at the University of Wisconsin—Platteville. James found the practice of law both satisfying and challenging and often spoke about the importance of using his skills to help others.

He had a wide variety of interests, including California wines, art fairs, collecting guns, hunting, growing native tall grass prairie plants, Civil War history, reading, running and all things German. James loved his deep family heritage and history in Grant County as well as Labrador retrievers of which he owned five over the course of his lifetime. He was passionate about wine, cheese, and everything Wisconsin, especially the University.

James is survived by his children: Matthew (Fiorella) Halferty, Susan (Jay) Pence and their sons Thomas and Ryan, and Laura Halferty and her son Sameer Krishnan; and a brother, Robert Halferty.

In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by his wife, Jo Anne.

A memorial service celebrating James’ life will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday April 28, 2018 at the Lancaster Congregational Church with Rev. Mark Dieter officiating. Burial will be in the Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster. Family and Friends may call Friday, April 27, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Lancaster Congregational Church, and from 1:00 p.m. until time of service at the church on Saturday. In lieu of plants and flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Lancaster Congregational Church or the Alzheimer’s Associating for research. The Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory of Lancaster is entrusted with his services.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Teton Peaks Assisted Living and to Encompass Home Health and Hospice for their care and assistance over the past several weeks.