1969
James
2024
James Alf
December 31, 1969 — March 13, 2024
Jim Alf has stepped onto the Jordan Ferry and crossed to the land of promise. James Roger Alf, age 86, of Eau Claire, died on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at the Heritage Assisted Living in Eau Claire.
Jim was born on November 22, 1937 in his Aunt’s house, 1335 Vine St., Eau Claire to Frederick William (Bill) Sr. and Alice E. (Crooker) Alf. At the time they resided in Brunswick Township, Eau Claire County. They moved to Seymour Township and lived on farms in the vicinity of St. Bridgit’s Church. Jim attended the one room, rural Springfield Prairie School through the sixth grade. In March of 1949, the family moved to Caryville where they operated the car ferry on the Chippewa River. He graduated from the Rock Falls Elementary School and Eau Claire Senior High School, class of 1955. During his high school years, he spent a lot of time running the ferry and helped on neighboring farms in harvest time.
He joined the United States Air Force in December 1955 and served as an Aero Medical Specialist in the flight surgeons office at Schilling Air Force Base, Salina, Kansas. He was honorably discharged after four years active duty and two years of inactive duty.
He was married to Sharon Simpson of Hayward, Wisconsin from 1960 to 1968. Of their union was born a daughter, Julie Marie. He married Karen D. Anderson on September 26, 1970 at Grace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire.
Jim is one of those rare people whose occupations were something he truly enjoyed. As a youth, he dreamed of being a head-rig sawyer in a lumber mill, an over-the-road truck driver and a writer. He was able to practice all three. His main occupation until 1987 was a lumber sawyer in Mondovi, WI and Onamia, MN. In 1987, he joined Marten Transport as an over-the-road driver and also drove Buesing Bulk Transport of Hudson. He retired from driving in 1995 due to the progression of heart failure.
He is the author of When the Ferries Still Ran, a book of local history and stories of the Chippewa Bottoms Dunn County and is a member of The Mondovi Writers Group.
He served two terms as Buffalo County Supervisor. He is a co-founder of Chippewa Valley Local Authors.
Jim has been guided by the Christian faith and practiced as a member of several denominations. Since moving to Eau Claire in 2017, he has enjoyed the fellowship of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, UCC. There he has had the privilege of leading the writer’s group, The Inklings.
He is survived by his daughter Julie M. Alf Erickson, Coon Rapids, MN; 3 granddaughters: Cassie M. Steurer, Caitlin S. Steurer and Brittany A. (Ryan) Correll; 6 great-grandchildren; brother Arthur M. (Susan) of Menomonie; sister-in-law Judy Alf; nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Preceding him in death are his wife Karen, parents and brothers Rodney and Frederick.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at First Congregational United Church of Christ, UCC, 310 Broadway St., Eau Claire with Rev. Dr. Mark Pirazzini officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Burial will follow in the church memorial garden.
Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.cremationsociety-wi.com .
Jim was born on November 22, 1937 in his Aunt’s house, 1335 Vine St., Eau Claire to Frederick William (Bill) Sr. and Alice E. (Crooker) Alf. At the time they resided in Brunswick Township, Eau Claire County. They moved to Seymour Township and lived on farms in the vicinity of St. Bridgit’s Church. Jim attended the one room, rural Springfield Prairie School through the sixth grade. In March of 1949, the family moved to Caryville where they operated the car ferry on the Chippewa River. He graduated from the Rock Falls Elementary School and Eau Claire Senior High School, class of 1955. During his high school years, he spent a lot of time running the ferry and helped on neighboring farms in harvest time.
He joined the United States Air Force in December 1955 and served as an Aero Medical Specialist in the flight surgeons office at Schilling Air Force Base, Salina, Kansas. He was honorably discharged after four years active duty and two years of inactive duty.
He was married to Sharon Simpson of Hayward, Wisconsin from 1960 to 1968. Of their union was born a daughter, Julie Marie. He married Karen D. Anderson on September 26, 1970 at Grace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire.
Jim is one of those rare people whose occupations were something he truly enjoyed. As a youth, he dreamed of being a head-rig sawyer in a lumber mill, an over-the-road truck driver and a writer. He was able to practice all three. His main occupation until 1987 was a lumber sawyer in Mondovi, WI and Onamia, MN. In 1987, he joined Marten Transport as an over-the-road driver and also drove Buesing Bulk Transport of Hudson. He retired from driving in 1995 due to the progression of heart failure.
He is the author of When the Ferries Still Ran, a book of local history and stories of the Chippewa Bottoms Dunn County and is a member of The Mondovi Writers Group.
He served two terms as Buffalo County Supervisor. He is a co-founder of Chippewa Valley Local Authors.
Jim has been guided by the Christian faith and practiced as a member of several denominations. Since moving to Eau Claire in 2017, he has enjoyed the fellowship of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, UCC. There he has had the privilege of leading the writer’s group, The Inklings.
He is survived by his daughter Julie M. Alf Erickson, Coon Rapids, MN; 3 granddaughters: Cassie M. Steurer, Caitlin S. Steurer and Brittany A. (Ryan) Correll; 6 great-grandchildren; brother Arthur M. (Susan) of Menomonie; sister-in-law Judy Alf; nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Preceding him in death are his wife Karen, parents and brothers Rodney and Frederick.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at First Congregational United Church of Christ, UCC, 310 Broadway St., Eau Claire with Rev. Dr. Mark Pirazzini officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Burial will follow in the church memorial garden.
Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.cremationsociety-wi.com .
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Alf, please visit our flower store.
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