James E. Matsche, 80 of Birnamwood, died on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 at Theda Care Medical Center, Shawano.
He was born on May 12, 1938 in Antigo, the son of the late Frank and Theresa (Resch) Matsche.
On August 13, 1960, Jim was united in marriage to Germaine Ostrowski at St. Florian’s Catholic Church, Hatley. She survives.
Jim was a custodian at the Birnamwood School for some time and farmed for many years until his retirement. Jim played baseball and also old timers softball. An avid outdoorsman, Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time at the cabin in Mercer. He loved to socialize with his family and many friends.
Jim is survived by his wife, Germaine; children, Scott (Carrie) Matsche of Birnamwood, Sandra (Bill) Lang of Goulburn, Australia, Steven (Sarah) Matsche of Hatley, Susan (Brian) Keene of San Francisco, CA and Shelly (Chad) Nousen of Birnamwood; 13 grandchildren, Ryan, Linda, Chris, Kayla, Kyle, Tyler, Brandon, Nicole, Taylor, Warwick, Dylan, Amanda and Rylee and 9 great grandchildren. Jim is further survived by his siblings, Ervin Matsche of Brookfield, Donald (Darline) Matsche of Aniwa, Cecelia Pestka of Wausau, Edwin Matsche of Appleton, David Matsche of Birnamwood, Loretta (Anthony) Check of Mosinee, Raymond Matsche of Weston, Teresa Bergner and Ronald (Teresa) Matsche, all of Birnamwood, Mary (George) Arrowood of Manawa, Jerome Matsche, Dennis (Joan) Matsche, Dale (Terri) Matsche and Daniel Matsche, all of Birnamwood; a sister-in-law, Marian Matsche of Wausau and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Sidney, a sister, Josephine Schmidt and a brother, Lawrence.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at St. Philomena’s Catholic Church, Birnamwood. Rev. Vicente Llagas will officiate. Burial will be held in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be held on Saturday, at the church, from 8am until the time of Mass.