A generous, kind, and loving man, Jim Bolenbaugh, age 71 of Lily died on March 20, 2025 at his home under the care of his family and Compassus Hospice. Born on September 23, 1953 in Van Wert, Ohio, the youngest son of William and Marcile (Hoghe) Bolenbaugh, Jim married Cindy Burnes on June 24, 1974 in Van Wert, Ohio.
Survivors include his wife, Cindy; two sons, Adam Bolenbaugh of Lily and Matthew Bolenbaugh of Wausau; a daughter by marriage, Bryanne Suhsen of Rothschild, two grandchildren, Aurora and Brue Bolenbaugh; and four brothers, Mark (Mary Ann) Bolenbaugh, Ned (Nelda) Bolenbaugh, Neil (June) Bolenbaugh, and Dave (Barb) Bolenbaugh.
Jim was a talented stone and brick mason, a member of Wisconsin masons local 6 Union and the International Union. He worked as a Job Corps masonry instructor for 16 years until retirement. Formerly from Eland, he moved to Lily in 2000.
He was a man of many talents. A passionate master gardener of vegetables and flowers, Jim especially enjoyed growing a great variety (and quantity!) of hot peppers and tomatoes for making The Best salsa. He loved growing giant pumpkins and showing them off and also managed an apple orchard of 25 trees. Sharing the garden harvest was as important to him as growing it. Jim delighted in birding, often traveling with Cindy to places across the country to witness big migrations in the spring and fall. He was especially fond of Lake Superior and the Mississippi River. Jim enjoyed camping, biking, and fishing and was an innovative woodworker, and creator of beautiful stained glass pieces.
He worked and played hard and loved well. He had a big and generous spirit and a droll generational humor that brought belly laughs. He was a loving husband and a patient father. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.
"It'll feel better when it quits hurting".
Bradley Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences at www.bradleyfh.com.
