James E. Siedenburg

POTOSI - James E. “Jim” Siedenburg, a much loved husband, father, grandfather, and educator from Potosi, Wisconsin, passed away on August 25, 2024 at the age of 76.

Born on August 1, 1948, in Savanna, Illinois, to William “Alvin” and Gladys (Weidman) Siedenburg, Jim grew up on a farm outside Mt. Carroll, Illinois. There he learned the merits of hard work and developed a life-long love of young animals and the outdoors. He thrived under the values, guidance and support of his loving father and mother.

Jim attended Mt. Carroll High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education specializing in biology and chemistry, from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 1970. He later earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology and Guidance and Counseling from Wayne State University in Detroit, and a Sixth Year Certificate in Education Administration from Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota.

Jim dedicated his life to education, working for the Highland School District from 1970 to 1995 in a multitude of roles including biology and chemistry teacher, guidance counselor, baseball and basketball coach, athletic director, and district administrator. Jim served as district administrator of the Potosi School District from 1995 to 2003, where he loved reading to students as “Grandpa Toad”. He took a break from early retirement in 2008 to act as district administrator for the Belmont School District until 2015. For twenty-five years, he served as secretary/treasurer of the Six Rivers Conference. Jim held many fond memories of the staff, students, and families from these communities. And, one final time, “I gotcha!”

Jim was also a proud veteran, training at the Monterey Defense Language Institute in order to serve as a Russian Linguist in the U.S. Air Force, being stationed in Berlin, Germany, from 1971 to 1974.

Jim married Audrey “Becky” Rebecca Lins - “he knew he loved her before he met her” - in Spring Green, Wisconsin, on August 8, 1970. Their marriage of 54 years was filled with love, family, friends, and shared adventures - they will forever love each other way up into the sky.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law Melvin, brothers-in-law Kenny Lins, Jim Grann, Rich Goree, Rick McKee, and Bill Bentley, sister-in-law Linda Siedenburg, and niece Patricia Sickler. 

He is survived by his wife - “Fluffys” - Becky; oldest and favorite daughter Mickey Siedenburg and grandchildren Shaun, Jacob, and Sage of Rewey, Wisconsin; and youngest and favorite daughter Jennifer Siedenburg-Sis, son-in-law Brian, and grandchildren Jacqueline and Kirsten of Elkhorn, Wisconsin.

Jim relished spending time with his grandchildren on family vacations, giving pony rides, puppy kisses, and shark attacks, playing catch, creating scavenger hunts, and taking orders at “Grandpa’s Restaurant”.

He is also survived by numerous extended family members, including his mother-in-law Edith Lins and his siblings: Carol Bentley of Mendota, Illinois, Gerald Siedenburg of Freeport, Illinois, and Joyce McKee of Roscoe, Illinois. Jim cherished his visits and regular phone chats with his sisters. 

Special thanks to Judy and Dan O'Connell for filling Jim and Becky’s home with extra companions, Jean Grann for providing ongoing company, nourishment, and care, Donata Goree for arming Jim against snakes and more, and “little dog” Lynette Lins for support from afar.

Jim loved traveling with his wife, his family, the beauty of national parks, reading, music, playing golf with friends, fastpitch softball, watching UW Badger basketball and football, wildlife, and the great outdoors. He will still remain a loyal Bears fan.

A celebration of friendship will be held on Wednesday, September 4th from 3pm-6pm at Hickory Hill Park in Potosi/Tennyson, Wisconsin, where Jim loved to push his grandkids on the swings, go sledding, have snowball fights, and planted a tree in his father’s honor. 

In lieu of plants and flowers a James E. Siedenburg Memorial Fund has been established. Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Potosi is assisting the family. 

Jim will be deeply missed; there will be a private burial service with military honors held at a later date.