James "Jim" A. Petersen

James "Jim" A. Petersen, 78, of La Crosse, died on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, in Gundersen (Emplify) Hospital, La Crosse. He was born on July 17, 1947 to Don and Rita (Mosey) Petersen. He was married to his high school sweetheart Joan Kay (Londkoski) for 57 years. Devoted father to two children, Joel James, married to Patricia Buneker, who blessed him with grandchildren Arthur, Madeline, and Maxwell, and Julie Kay, married to Jeff Miller who blessed him with grandchildren Kahlen, Jessica, Jackson, and Jordan. He was recently gifted with one great-grandchild, Kinleigh.

He graduated from Aquinas High School in 1965. He was a US Army military police officer from 1966-68 in Bangkok, Thailand, stationed out of Fort Riley, Kansas. For 28 years, he was a La Crosse Firefighter. During that time, he was also president of the Firefighters Credit Union. While serving on the Fire Department, his colleagues knew him as “Pete.” He retired from the Fire Department in 1999 and from the Credit Union in 2002.

Jim enjoyed golfing, spending winters in Texas, and volunteering for Irish Fest and his parish, Holy Trinity Catholic Church. He loved Wisconsin sports and followed the Brewers, Badgers, Packers, and Bucks. He was a member of the Sokols, Moose Lodge, American Legion, and Eagles clubs.

In addition to his immediate family, Jim is survived by his younger sister, Nancy Petersen, his uncle Ray Mosey, sister-in-law Pat Larson, brother-in-law Frank Hafner, and many beloved nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Jim lost his older sister, Judy, and nephew Michael Hafner.

He believed that if you are honest to yourself, you will be honest to others. 

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 am, on Thursday, August 14, 2025, in Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home, 1501 West Ave. South, La Crosse. Rev. Rick Roberts will officiate. Family and friends may visit from 9:30 am, until the time of the Service, on Thursday.