James V. Kropf

James V. Kropf, 96, of Bowler, died on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at his home surrounded by family. James was born June 14, 1925, in Bowler, the son of Victor and Edna (Malueg) Kropf. On June 1, 1946, Jim was united in marriage to Donna Clawson in Minocqua. She preceded him in death on Dec. 27, 2011. Jim was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bowler, where he was baptized and confirmed. Jim worked road construction for five years until his dad became ill, and at that point he took over the family business, Kropf’s Meat Processing. It was a job he truly loved. He owned and operated the business until the age of 65. He then sold the business to his children, Mark and Cindy, and continued to work for them for 25 years. Jim enjoyed the Milwaukee Brewers, Green Bay Packers, bowling and traveling with Donna. Jim played shortstop for the Bowler BABA baseball team and was inducted into the Bowler Baseball Hall of Fame. Jim loved to tell stories about which farms he picked animals up at and he enjoyed watching wildlife. Family was very important to Jim, and he loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jim is survived by his children, Lynn (Joe) Behnke, Cindy (Ed Jr.) Treptow and Mark (Patty) Kropf; daughter-in-law, Nancy Kropf; grandchildren, James Kropf, Jeff (Chelsea) Kropf, Joseph Kropf, Carrie (Jim) Nolde, Craig (Emilee) Cook, Daniel (Raquel) Treptow, Kelly (Tyler) Krull, Scott (Kim) Kropf and Haley (Brad) Breaker; 18 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Susie Clawson, Annette Clawson, Marj Clawson, Eva Fellman and Sallie Pratt; niece, Amy (Mark) Wiesman; nephews, Peter (Sue) Korpowski, Tim, Jerry and Gary Clawson and Tom Denoyer; his good friend, Dennis Trinko; his nurse’s aides, Donna and Vicky; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Jim was preceded in death by his wife; parents; a son Michael; sister, Lois Korpowski; and in-laws, Dick Clawson, Audrey and Mike Denoyer, Tom Clawson, Mary Jane, Carol Meaux, Robert and William Clawson. A public visitation will be held from 9-10:45 a.m., on Saturday, May 21, 2022, at Schmidt and Schulta Funeral Home in Wittenberg. A private family service will follow. Burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery in the Town of Almon. Memories and messages of support may be shared at schmidtschulta.com In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials in Jim’s name be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bowler. A golden heart stopped beating, Hard working hands to rest, God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best. He is gone, but not forgotten.