James Carl Bonewald Sr.

James Carl Bonewald Sr., age 81 of Dousman, WI, went peacefully in the early morning hours on Tuesday, September 29th, 2026, to be with his Lord and Savior. Jim was the only child of Margaret (Mahr) Bonewald and Carl Bonewald. He entered the world on the May 7, 1945 in Eau Claire, WI.

Jim spent his first 5 years in Fall Creek, WI and then moved to Beloit, WI with his parents. Jim attended Parker, Royce and Gaston Elementary Schools, Lincoln Jr. High School and graduated from Beloit Memorial High School in 1963. Jim was a member of the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Explorers. Jim had summer jobs mowing the grass in two Beloit cemeteries and working as a Lab Tech for Fairbanks Morse.After high school, Jim stayed with his half-sister Pat Hughes and her family in Greenfield, WI while attending the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. Jim had to take 3 buses from the far southwest side to the northeast side of Milwaukee to get to classes. In 1965, Jim transferred to the University of Wisconsin - Madison to complete his degree in Metallurgical Engineering. Upon graduation in 1968, Jim moved to Greenfield, WI and started work for Ladish Co. Inc., a forge shop in Cudahy, WI from which he retired after 43 years in 2009.

Jim was a Cognizant Engineer in the Quality Department for most of those years responsible for making sure the forgings, from start to finish, met all the customer requirements. Some of the forgings were for commercial and naval nuclear reactors and some were for commercial and military jet engines. Jim was very proud and relieved that none of the forgings he was responsible for failed in service. One day in the summer of 1967 when picking his mother up after work at the Beloit Memorial Hospital, he met the love of his life, Selma Irene Lee. After a short courtship, they were married on June 29, 1968. The marriage lasted until his death and produced one son, James Carl Jr. and one daughter Sarah Irene.In 1974, the family moved from Greenfield, WI to a large older home on Main Street in Waterford, WI. When the kids left for college, Jim and Selma moved to a smaller home on the west side of Waterford. In 2016, Jim and Selma moved to Three Pillars, a senior living community in Dousman, Wi.

Jim was a member of the Community Church in Waterford and served on numerous committees. From 1989 to 1995, Jim served on the New Building Committee and particularly enjoyed helping construct the new church building even taking two weeks vacation from work to do so.

Jim enjoyed photography and co-authored several photo books with Selma for family members. Jim also enjoyed genealogy and authored two books which are now part of the Wisconsin State Historical Society research library. He also wrote and published his life story for his two grandchildren, Teddy and Valerie.

Jim was an occasional cyclist. His longest ride was 60 miles from Waterford to Beloit accompanied by his then teenage son Jim Jr. In his later years, he switched to riding a recumbent tricycle which he found more pleasurable.

Being an engineer, Jim enjoyed charts, graphs, spreadsheets, and flow charts. When Jim Jr and Sarah were approaching the time to pick out a college he made huge spreadsheets listing the prospective colleges and their characteristics. Of course the family finances, medical visits, and travel logs were kept on spreadsheets. When Sarah was to take her first flight, Jim made a large flow chart for her to follow listing all the possible situations that she might encounter and what actions to take.

After retirement and moving to Three Pillars Senior Living Communities, Jim joined the staff of the resident's monthly newsletter, The Village Voice, as Historian. His first series of articles, monthly for 4-1/2 years, was on the history of the Wisconsin Masonic Home. Upon completion of the articles, Jim donated a digital version to the research libraries of the Waukesha County Historical Society and the Wisconsin State Historical Society. Jim's second series was on the Early History of the Communities Surrounding Dousman.

Jim & Selma visited all contiguous states mostly for the purposes of genealogical research. Many hours were spent in musty courthouse basements, cemeteries, and meeting newly discovered relatives. Jim & Selma also did some international travel to England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Egypt, and Israel (twice).

During COVID, Jim & Selma started a new practice of watching The Great Courses while eating lunch and dinner in their apartment. They have over 170 courses. Jim's special interests were in history, biblical archaeology, geology, the universe, subatomic theory, and the brain. Jim & Selma shared their Great Courses with fellow Three Pillars residents by hosting a weekly showing.

Jim did not have any music talent of his own but during this time period he developed and hosted a monthly music video program based on Selma's collection of about 3,000 45 rpm records.

Jim enjoyed keeping in touch with classmates from elementary school and confirmation class and monthly breakfasts with former Ladish co-workers. His favorite TV programs were: Law & Order, Oak Island, American Ninja Warrior, and Alone.

One of Jim's favorite words was "behoove" which he used regularly when giving advice to his children.

When Sarah was still living at home, they started addressing each other as M.O.M. (Magnificent Ole Man/My Ole Man -meaning by Sarah but Mean Ole Man - by Jim Sr.) and D.A.D. (Dear Adorable Daughter) which they continued to do during his lifetime.

Politically Jim was conservative/libertarian. He voted in all elections but was suspicious of all politicians.

Jim was most proud of the character and accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by both of his parents and all four of his half-siblings, George Yealey, Pat Hughes, Katheryn Mackey, and Andy Yealey.

Jim is survived by his wife and their two children: Jim Jr (Lori) Bonewald of Mt. Vernon IA, and Sarah (George) Humphries of Lexington, KY; two grandchildren: Teddy Bonewald and Valerie Humphries: nieces, nephews, and other extended family members. 81 years and 4 months is a lifetime full of memories and experiences; thus, it is impossible to cover in a few sentences. We hope this does him justice. His family will miss him tremendously but we will see him again someday!

A Celebration of Life is yet to be determined.

Please checkout the Tribute Wall for pictures of Jim's life as selected by Jim himself.