James "Jim" Joseph Casey

The Man.

The Myth.

The Legend.

James “Jim” Joseph Casey was entered into eternal life on August 23, 2024.  His community, his family and all who knew him will feel a great loss without Jim in their lives. Big in stature with a big voice, big aspirations, and a big personality, Jim was the kind of guy who filled a room with his presence. To be on the receiving end of a hug or a handshake reminded you of that big-ness and the strength of a man who knew hard work.

Jim was born June 24, 1951 in Aurora, Illinois, the fourth child of N. Wayne and Lucille (Armbrust) Casey. The family moved to Eagle, WI in 1956 and dairy farmed for many years. Jim attended Catholic elementary school where Sister Gertrude saw that sparkle of determination in his eye, but had to use the yardstick on the knuckles to curb his strong will and independence.  A graduate of Mukwonago High School, Jim then enlisted in the Navy where he served as an OR Medic Corpsman working in a brain surgical unit.

Upon return from his military stint, he met a feisty and smart new teacher, also a devoted Catholic, named Kathleen Petesch. After a brief courtship, they married and set off to start their lives together.  His dream to own profitable farmland took them to Columbia County – a part of the state with rich soil and an opportunity to grow big. The down payment of a tractor bought them a small farm in rural Cambria with K-C Farms in bold letters on the silo. Two children, Billie-Jo and Jonathan, blessed their home and added to the fullness of family life on the farm.  His hired hand, Mark Schwoch, became a staple of the farm at the young age of 14. He looked up to Jim as a mentor and father figure, and Jim helped to instill a strong work ethic in Mark and others as he taught how to love the ground and take care of it.

Jim worked big, played big, and loved big. He believed in his work, and he had a knack for making even the less-desirable jobs fun in some way; usually through some friendly competition. Shelling corn from cribs would turn into a contest to see who could shovel the longest. Raising and lowering of old-school elevators and augers would be timed, and whoever could crank the longest would be owed a soda by the loser. Jim would play euchre or dirty clubs at the Bull Pen with Mark and other friends who will remember his love for competition fondly. Shaking dice was a game he never lost at; if there was an upset, he would grab the dice box and bring it back because he wasn’t about to leave a loser.

A saying sometimes heard in the Casey household, “Go big or go home,” seemed to play out for his family, as one looks out across the current Casey farm. Jim was a forward-looking entrepreneur and quite shrewd as a businessman.  In 1994, the Casey family of four relocated ten miles east to Randolph with the purchase of the farm from Dr. Theodore ‘Doc’ and Jean Patek and built a new house on the farmstead. Then the focus changed to corn and soybeans with Jim putting his business on the cutting edge of local ethanol production. He always embraced new and innovative business ideas and was never satisfied with the status quo.

Jim epitomized quintessential “Irish” with a temper that could bubble and boil, but usually cooled as fast as it came. Jim was a commanding personality who demanded respect, and he got it.

Having fun, teasing those he loved and making a good time with friends and family made Jim a person you wanted to hang with. Korbel and Old Fashions - the drinks of choice, boxing and movies for TV time, cards and hunting his favorite sports. Recent trips into Alaska for moose and grizzly bear and helicopter hunting of wild hogs in Texas were adventures Jim loved to share. Trophies of animals: turkeys, deer, bear and a few additional racks of fame adorn the Casey home walls. “Papa’s” passion for the hunt was shared with his children and grandchildren and a great mentor he was – safety first!

Jim was a faith-filled man - faithful to all he loved, including God, always making mass and his grandchildren’s special sacraments a priority. If he gave you his word, you knew you could count on it.  A man larger than life, never afraid to lend a helping hand without expecting anything in return. A father who would go across state lines hauling a flatbed with equipment to excavate, dig, bulldoze or demolish because that was his way of showing love and support for his family. His vision for a family “resort” on his property named “The Wagon Wheel” was complete with a fishing pond, large sandy beach and unique four-season cabin - a favorite spot for his twelve grandchildren and gatherings with family and friends.

How can anyone speak of big Jim Casey without highlighting that great big heart?  From FFA, to 4-H to church benefits, the checkbook or wallet opened graciously. Money was earned to spend, not hoard!  One church benefit included a silent auction that could not begin until Jim appeared on the scene. Between mouthfuls of potato salad and coleslaw, Jim up-bid item after item without missing a beat.

When Kathy passed away, family, friends, and neighbors lifted Jim through those heartbreaking times. His friendship with Bonnie Johnson, a woman who shared the grief of losing a spouse, blossomed into a new love. Bonnie filled his life with the joy of companionship, responded to his teasing with more humor of her own and shared his love for card playing and movie critiquing.

Once Jim discovered Facebook Marketplace, they traveled across the state to pick up newly purchased farm items, enjoying their jaunts with side adventures and sight-seeing.

Jim is survived by his daughter Billie-Jo (Chad) Brusveen, son Jonathan (Frances) Casey, and grandchildren: Ashton and Briella Brusveen, Maximillian, Gabriel, Lilia, Xavier, Isaac, Caleb, Dominic, Violet, Ezekiel, and Leo Casey, along with his significant other Bonnie Johnson and her family: Jennifer Mackey (Randy Hamilton) and Jacquelyn (Allen) Drews; grandchildren  Jordyn (Henry) Keefe, Kyle and Addison Mackey, Nolan, Reagan, and Booklyn Drews and great-grandchildren Rosemary and Anne Keefe; Jim’s brothers Donald and Kenneth (Linda) Casey, sisters-in-law Connie (Dan) Holzmiller and MaryBeth Petesch (John Lemberger), other relatives and many friends.  He was preceded in death by his wife Kathy Petesch Casey, his parents, in-laws, his brother Richard Casey, sister Mary Anderson and brother-in-law Bob Anderson.

A Resurrection Mass will be held at Annunciation Catholic Church at 305 W. Green Street in Fox Lake, WI at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 31. As Jim was an avid sportsman, please join us for a friendly competition of trap shooting at the Cambria Conservation Club at W2137 Commerce Street in Cambria, WI from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

A celebration of life will be held at “The Mill” on W2591 Hwy P in Cambria, Wisconsin on Saturday, August 31, 2024 from 5 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate non-perishable items to local food pantries. Jim was always a supporter of those who were willing to sacrifice their time to serve others. We are grateful for those from our community who came to his assistance in his time of need. Memorial donations can be made in Jim’s honor to the Randolph EMS, Randolph Police, Cambria EMS, Cambria Fire, or Friesland First Responders.

Our hearts are full of gratitude to family members, friends, neighbors, first responders and medical staff for all their acts of kindness, food, prayers, visits, and kind words.  Jim Casey’s memory leaves us with a smile on our face because of the joy and lasting impact this great big man with a great big heart gave to all of us. And… if you are in Alaska and you get into a pinch - ask for Joe.