James Speerschneider

James “Jim” Earl Speerschneider, age 96, passed away on Wednesday May 27, 2026, at The VA Hospital in Madison Wisconsin due to natural causes with family present.  He was born on July 7, 1929, in Green Bay Wisconsin, to Earl and Kathryn (Mande) Speerschneider.  He was the 2nd oldest of 4 children.  He married Patricia “Pat” Ann Hettig on August 18, 1956, at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay.  A moving Final Salute was performed by the wonderful caring VA staff.   

Jim spent his final Memorial Day weekend at the beloved family cottage on Lake Camelot with family and friends.  He stopped on the way for his favorite prime rib sandwich at The Hitching Post in Portage, had his favorite walleye fingers at Lake Arrowhead Golf Course, enjoyed many favorite meals and sunsets on the cottage deck, relaxed by the lake and enjoyed several pontoon rides.  The weather was beautiful and the weekend filled with memories.

Jim graduated from East High School in Green Bay and from the University of Wisconsin – Madison with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education, attending on the GI bill.  He made rank of Sargent in the Army, serving from 1951-1953 at Fort Hustis in Virgina. His career included teaching at Sheboygan Falls, Monroe and Madison West High Schools, tennis coach at Monroe High school, Guidance Counselor at James Madison Memorial High School and West High School Diploma Completion Program, advisor for the University of Wisconsin-Madison SOAR Program assisting math and science students and served one semester as an Associate Dean.  He was one of the counselors involved in bringing the AP program to Madison Public Schools and proctored many exams.  He was a champion for education.

Jim was a lifelong Green Bay Packers fan attending many games including the infamous Ice Bowl.  Some games were proceeded with neighborhood Booyah parties at his parents’ home in Green Bay with family and friends.  He was an avid hunter leading to the family purchasing 40 acres of land in Florence County where the family built the “Shack” which 5 generations of family continue to visit for weekends of trout fishing, bird and deer hunting camps, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, fall color changing, golfing and visiting favorite restaurants and breweries.  Jim and Pat purchased and renovated “The Cottage” which was where most summer weekends were enjoyed.  He enjoyed golfing, being snowbirds in Destin Florida, traveling with family and recently going out for lunch every Wednesday with his neighbors for good burgers and to Supper Clubs for Prime Rib and Old Fashioneds.  

Survivors include son Daniel (Sharon) Speerschneider, daughter Jane (Michael) Sebzda, daughter Kay Speerschneider, grandson Richard (Leesha) Sebzda, great grandson Riley and great granddaughter Maxine, sisters-in-law Rita Brault, Joan Hansen, Mary Speerschneider, Marilyn Speerschneider and many nieces, nephews, grand and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years Patrica “Pat” Hettig who passed in 2017, his parents, brothers David and Charles Speerschneider, sister Carol and her husband Robert Mathews, sisters/brothers in law Theresa and Cliff Wall, Geraldine and Donald Hayes, Kathleen Hettig, Maryanne and Gerald White and Robert Brault.  

A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at The Elks Lodge in Madison in the near future.  In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations be made to the Living Stones of Jesus, 5650 Portage Road, Madison, WI 53718

Jim’s family would like to extend special thank yous to the caring and dedicated staff at the VA Hospital in Madison and his neighbors Sue and Stu who provided outstanding care and support to Jim and his family.