James Klinkhammer

James Mark Klinkhammer, age 69, passed away on October 5, 2024 at his home in Monticello, WI.

Jim was born on January 30, 1955 in Prairie du Chien, WI, to Carroll and Delores (Recker) Klinkhammer. He spent his early years on a farm near Bloomington and then moved to a home on Mill St. where he grew up with his three brothers and two sisters. He was an altar boy at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where he attended grade school, and graduated from Bloomington High School in 1973.

Jim married Candace Cashmore on April 30, 1988 in Bloomington, WI where they resided for many years. Jim worked with his father at the Bloomington cheese factory as a young man, and then built a career overseeing farm and household auctions throughout southwestern Wisconsin. He managed the Farm Loan Service office in Monroe, WI in the early 1980s, and then ran his own business, Ag Country Auction Service, with Candace for more than a decade. In his 40s, he went back to trade school to become a brick mason, working large construction sites in the Madison area, as well as projects for family and friends.

Jim loved to ride motorcycles, spend afternoons at the beach along the Mississippi River, go fishing up north, kayak along the Sugar River, play euchre, and have beers with friends. He will be remembered for his encyclopedic knowledge of Civil War and WWII history, quick wit, storytelling abilities, and his hilarious/inappropriate sense of humor.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Candace; children, Jennifer Klinkhammer (Aaron Vesperman), Jeff Klinkhammer, Carrie Willkomm, and Mark (Jessica) Mandurano; seven grandchildren; brothers Roger and Dan (Karla) Klinkhammer; sister Mary (Jeff) Robbins; brother-in-law Mike Werzyn; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Ted Klinkhammer; and sister Judy Werzyn.

A celebration of life was held for Jim on October 12th at the American Legion Hall in Bloomington, WI.