James “Popsie” R. Ollhoff, 79, died Monday, January 7, 2019 under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Woodland Court, Merrill.
He was born November 15, 1939 in Wausau, son of the late Reuben and Ruth (Hartwig) Ollhoff. On February 17, 1962 he married Karen Peters at Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau and they spent 56 years together.
James not only worked as a farmer, but had a true passion for it. He was proud to continue the Hartwig family farm tradition which is currently at 139 years. He enjoyed tractor pulls, draft horses, polka dances and collecting toy tractors. When he wasn’t cruising around in his pickup truck, you could find him checking fence on his four-wheeler where he could occasionally be found resting aka “napping”. He was a witty man who loved to talk about his early years farming and always came up with a clever nickname for everyone and everything.
Survivors include his wife, Karen Ollhoff; children, Mitch (Guyna) Ollhoff, Greg (Jackie) Ollhoff, Diane (Ward) Bennett and Scott (fiancé Victoria) Ollhoff; grandchildren, Ashley (Jonathon) Smith, Jordan, Luke, Grace, Leigha and Gunner Ollhoff; great-grandchildren, John, Alannah and Dylan Smith; siblings, Carol Uekert, Mary Lord, Charlene (Karl) Pilath, Mark (Josie) Ollhoff, Mike (Sandy) Ollhoff, Tina Ollhoff, Gene (Peggy) Ollhoff and Gary (Chris) Ollhoff; brother-in-law, Bob Richey.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Debbie, son, Dan, brother, David, sister, Katie Richey and brother-in-law, Donnie Uekert.
Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 12, 2019 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau. Rev. Zach Holdorf will officiate. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, village of Maine. Visitation will be Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of services all at the Sixth Street funeral home.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com