James L. Kottke

James L. Kottke, 80, of Fond du Lac passed away on Tuesday, December 24, 2013 at Hospice Home of Hope in Fond du Lac. He was born on November 27, 1933 in Fond du Lac, the son of the late George and Ella (nee Bethke) Kottke. On October 18, 1952 he married Elsie B. Ernest at Church of Peace in Fond du Lac. They began their life together on the family farm in Byron Township. Jim's winter dreams and entrepreneur spirit led to expansion and the formation of Cottonwood Creek Farms Inc, a dairy, crop, and sheep farm in 1976. He farmed there with family his entire life. A shepherd in his walk, Jim led his family by example. Most important to him was the time he spent with Elsie, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was a 4-H leader and loved to encourage youngsters in the lamb project at the Fond du Lac County Fair.He is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Elsie; his children, Linda (Earl) Fryman of Oakfield, David (Jean) Kottke of Fond du Lac, Steve (fiancé, Liz Strean) Kottke of Mt. Calvary, Glen (Colleen) Kottke of Fond du Lac, Kathleen (Dave) Hoddel of Fond du Lac, James (Penny) Kottke of Oakfield, and Randal Kottke; grandchildren, Tammy (Corey) Hodorff of Eden, Travis (Candida) Fryman of Eden, Sherry (Brent) Sabel of Rosendale, Rebecca (Daniel) Towne of Lamartine, Melinda (Adam) Dill of Fond du Lac, Quinn (fiancé, Erica Koerner) Fryman of Fond du Lac, Cassandra (Brett) Gerritsen of Waupun, Greg (Shelly) Kottke of Oakfield, Joseph (Anna) Kottke of Oakfield, Jennifer (Shane) Boelk of Fond du Lac, Jessica (Brad) Schumacher of Fond du Lac, Alison (Peter) Capoyianes of Evanston, IL, Kimberly (Chris) Margelofsky of Fond du Lac, Melissa (Tyler) Parra of Sheboygan, Evan (fiancé Becca Diefenbacher) Kottke of Eden, Vanessa (Miguel) Hernandez of Frisco, TX, Brayden Kottke of Malone, Benjamin (Katie) Kottke of Fond du Lac, Jacob Kottke of Lansing, MI, Daniel and Samuel Kottke both of Fond du Lac, Heather (Keith) Fauska of Rosendale, Missy (Jason) Wesch of Firth, NE, Brenda (Brent) Peterson of Appleton, Jenny Hoddel of Havlock, N.C., Eddie Hoddel of Fond du Lac, Wesley, Nicole, and James Kottke all of Fond du Lac; great-grandchildren: Kayli Jo, Kalista, Kaianne, and Kaydence Hodorff of Eden; Isaiah, Morgan, and Skyler Fryman of Eden; Sharleah and Brandon Sabel of Rosendale; Chase, Elijah, and Rylee Towne of Lamartine; Fletcher and Finley Dill of Fond du Lac; Fiona Fryman of Fond du Lac; Megan, Marissa, Miranda and Evelyn Kottke of Oakfield; Anthony, Hanna, and Hailey Boelk of Fond du Lac; Ellie Schumacher of Fond du Lac; Jackson Kottke of Eden; Caleb and Emma Kottke of Fond du Lac; Alexandria, Isabella, and Owen Fauska of Rosendale; Marcus and Cole Wesch of NE; Naomi Hernandez of Frisco, TX; Kyle and Keegan Parra of Sheboygan; Natalie Peterson of Appleton. He is also survived by two sisters, Beatrice Breister of Fond du Lac, and Marcella Pfund of Box Springs, GA; brothers-in-law Harvey Ernest, and Robert (Cele) Ernest; sister-in-law Betty Ernest; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Jim was preceded in death by his brothers, Roland (Theda) Kottke, Gordon (Ginny) Kottke, and Chester (Jeanette Kottke; brothers-in-law, Robert Pfund and Ken Breister; granddaughter, Heidi Belanger; and great-grandson, Sheldon Sabel.



VISITATION: Friday, December 27, 2013 from 4-8 P.M. at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 N. Park Ave. Fond du Lac, WI. FUNERAL: Saturday, December 28, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. at Salem United Methodist Church, 120 Sheboygan St, Fond du Lac, WI with the Reverends Bill Beaton and Tony Farina officiating. Visitation will also be held on Saturday at the church from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services. Burial will follow the service at Avoca Cemetery, Oakfield. The family wishes to thank St. Agnes Hospital and Hospice Home of Hope for all of their help during Jim's illness.Additional information and guestbook can be found at www.ueckerwitt.com