James Edward Parsons

James Edward Parsons passed away at home in St. Catherine’s Bay on Lake Winnebago,
October 22, 2021. He was born March 8, 1937 in Stockbridge, Wisconsin, to Oliver and
Gertrude Parsons. He grew up as the 7th of 9 children on their family farm, and graduated
Stockbridge High School in 1955. He served in the U.S. Army as a motor pool clerk, honorably
discharged in 1957.

Jim was united in marriage to the love of his life, Janice Mainville, on January 7, 1961. They
built their life together in the Stockbridge community, and had 4 daughters. Jim worked 42
years as a contractor and part owner of Parsons Brothers Construction Company in
Stockbridge. Jim’s stone and brick work can be found in hundreds of churches, schools,
hospitals, restaurants, utility buildings, and homes throughout Wisconsin. He was a volunteer
Firefighter in the Village of Stockbridge, and a member of the Stockbridge Harbor Fishing Club.
His wife Janice worked as the Administrative Assistant at Stockbridge Schools for 32 years
while raising their family. They were members of St. Mary’s parish in Stockbridge. Jim and Jan
loved spending time together at their cottage on Lake Winnebago, where friends and family
gathered over the years. Jim would spend hours in his boat “The North Ender,” which is still in
his boathouse and probably the oldest functioning fishing boat on Lake Winnebago.

Jim is survived by his daughters Dr. Valerie DeLain (Kris Klein), Appleton, and Linda (Don)
McLernon, Appleton, two grandchildren Amanda (Aaron Winkelmann) and Joseph, his sisters
Rita (Marv) Nennig, Karen (Jerry) Schneider, sisters-in-law Rosalie Parsons and Rita Burns,
sisters-in-law Carol (Rich) Van Boxtel, Lynn Medina, brothers-in-law John (Nancy) Mainville,
and Jeff (Jody) Mainville, and especially close family friends including Steve (Laurie) Ecker, JR
Luchterhand, and Ann Marie Mitchell, as well as many more wonderful friends and neighbors
who were a regular part of his life over the years in our community.

He was preceded in death by his wife Janice (Mainville) Parsons, daughters Joan and Nancy,
his parents Oliver and Gertrude (Grossel) Parsons, Stockbridge, his mother and father-in-law
Margaret (Hoffman) and Melvin Mainville, Kaukauna, as well as brothers, sisters, and in-laws—
William, Richard, and Robert (Rosemary) Parsons, Lillian (Elwin) Tasch, Evelyn (John) Schleich,
Bernice Gerhartz, and many other family members and friends.

Jim often said what a happy life he’s had. He celebrated 55 years of marriage with Jan. He
appreciated life even when it was hard, and would still say “Everything is fine.” He loved
fishing, playing cribbage, watching the Packers and the Brewers, and listening to his brother-in-
law Jerry Schneider’s polka band and radio program on Saturday mornings. He loved sitting
outside in 80 degree weather to chat with neighbors, and keeping his fireplace going three
seasons of the year. Jim & Jan are together again, watching over us and leaving us with a lot
of good laughs and memories until we see them again. We miss them both every day.

A private burial will be held at a future date. Dad wanted us to keep things simple. One of his
favorite sayings was “When It’s Done It’s Done.”