James Arthur Blader

James Arthur Blader, 76, of rural Wautoma, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2017 with his family by his side after enduring a long and courageous battle with cancer.  He was born on March 4, 1941, and married his childhood sweet heart, Barbara Ann Draves on April 1, 1961.  They began their life together raising their family and pursuing his life-long passion of farming. James was a devoted and accomplished farmer spending his life farming together with his brother, Chester C. Blader in the Town of Dakota.

Together they formed the Blader Brothers Partnership and farmed together for over 50 years. Farming defined who James was, his life was centered on the farm and around his family. James was a humble man who was proud of his children and their accomplishments. He enjoyed his daily drives in his pick-up truck to watch the crops green and ripen and monitor the irrigation systems in the fields. James enjoyed his frequent stops for lunch at the Dakota Inn where he would often visit and reminisce with friends about the latest news in the Town of Dakota.

Farming brought him great pride and respect for the farm land as he watched the reaping of his hard work.  Hard work, sweat and determination were the building blocks of his character and success. James believed that farming provided an education for life that no other occupation or school could teach his children. An education about birth, growth, maturity, values and respect. Farming was the most honest and honorable way that he could spend his days on earth, but on July 1, 2017, God looked down on earth and said he needed a Farmer in heaven to tend to his fields.

James is survived by his devoted wife of 56 years, Barbara Ann Blader; his six children; Dean Blader of Wautoma, Brian (Denise) Blader of Wautoma, Quinn (John) Shirley of Westfield, Robyn (Edward Lucht) Blader of Wautoma, Frank (Caroline) Blader of Marshfield, and Melody (Craig Norlin) Blader of Wautoma. He is further survived by 12 grandchildren, Alisha, Ashley, Brianna, Cyle, Samuel, Mary, Brooke, Bailey, Kristin, Dylan, Zachary and Matthew. 8 Great-grandchildren; Olivia, Mariah, Kurtis, Emily, Kaylee MacKenzie, Maxwell and Reed. 3 brothers; Richard (Carol) Blader, Chester (Jan) Blader, and John P. (Jill) Blader, Sr. 2 sisters; Lois (Don) Semrow, and Joyce Blader. Numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Charles and Louise Blader, his sister, Eleanor (Douglas) Reilly and his great-grandson, Landon.

A celebration of Life Visitation will be held at the United Methodist Church, Wautoma, WI from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. followed by a Funeral Service at 3 p.m. on Friday, July 7, 2017 with the burial at Maple Grove Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to join the family for a dinner at Blader’s Dakota Inn following the burial. James’s nephew, Pastor Dave Reilly will be officiating the service. To share a memory with Jim’s family or to sign the online guest book, please visit, www.stahlfuneralhome.com.  The Stahl Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.