James “Jim” D. Kienbaum, 78, town of Hewitt, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, October 21, 2022 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born March 7, 1944 in Wausau, son of the late Ordal and Frances (Krause) Kienbaum. On August 5, 1967, he married Hildegard Rajek at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Edgar. She survives.
Following high school graduation, Jim hauled milk and worked at Marathon Box before taking over the family farm in 1980. He worked as a dairy farmer his whole life and also drove school bus for the Wausau School District from 1980 until 1994. Jim was an avid snowmobiler and was a member of the Nutterville Snow Nuts Snowmobile Club and the Glandon Snow Barons.
Among his favorite pastimes, he enjoyed hunting on his land, learning about History, going to Zahrt Implement for a pop and conversation and most of all, spending Thursday nights atState Park Speedway.
Survivors include his loving wife, Hildegard; three children, Lynn (David) Thompson, Scott (Maureen) Kienbaum and Pam Kienbaum, all of Wausau; three grandchildren, Amy Thompson, Auburndale, Ryan Thompson, Wausau and Waylon Kienbaum, Wausau; one brother, Tom (Sharon) Kienbaum, Racine; three brothers-in-law, Robert Rajek, Edgar, Ronald (Darlene) Rajek, Mosinee and Bill (Leann) Rajek, Gleason; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his parents-in-law, Frank and Bertha Rajek; brother-in-law, Rudy Rajek; and two sisters-in-law, Barbie Rajek and Ardell Rajek.
Funeral services will be at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at Zion Lutheran Church, 238145 Star Road, Aniwa. Rev. Ryan Fehrmann will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
