James W. Huggett

MARSHALL, WIS. - James W. Huggett, age 75, passed away Wednesday, September 8, 2010, at his home surrounded by his family, following a brief illness. He was born February 5, 1935, the son of Dow and Verena (Keilen) Huggett in St. Johns, Michigan. In 1952, he graduated from Rodney B. Wilson High School in St. Johns. After completing the farming short course at Michigan State University in 1953, he moved to Marshall, Wisconsin to start his own farm. On October 8, 1958, Jim married Edna H. Harr at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Westphalia, Michigan. Together they lived in rural Marshall, Wisconsin and established Long Island Farm, Inc. (now Paul’s Turf & Tree Nursery, Inc.). They raised peppermint, spearmint, turfgrass and nursery trees. Jim was an active member of the St. Mary of the Nativity Catholic Church in Marshall, serving on many boards and committees and in many capacities, including Eucharistic Minister for the homebound. He was also active in many trade and business organizations: a past Town of Medina board member; a former director of the Farmers & Merchants State Bank in Marshall – Waterloo; a founding member of the Wisconsin Turfgrass Association; and also a board member of the Wisconsin Sod Producers Association and the American Sod Producers Association (now Turfgrass Producers International). In recognition of his many contributions to Wisconsin agriculture, he received an Honorary Distinguished Award from the University of Wisconsin–Madison College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in 1991. Jim and Edna enjoyed travelling together and became citizens of the world, visiting over thirty countries. After his retirement, he enjoyed wood carving at The Clearing Folk School in Door County, WI, helping his son Paul around the farm, and gardening. He was a kind and good-natured man who made friends wherever he went; a gentle man who was always a gentleman. Most of all, Jim will be fondly remembered for being a kind, loving and dedicated husband, father and grandfather. Jim is survived by his wife, Edna Huggett of Marshall, WI; his children, Thomas Huggett, of Chicago, IL; Ellen (Terry) Breunig, of Hartland, WI; Paul (Shelly) Huggett, of Marshall, WI; William (Kathryn) Huggett, of Omaha, NE; John (Nicole) Huggett, of Hartland, WI; six granddaughters, Melanie and Deanna Breunig, Alanna and Claire Huggett, Giselle and Stella Huggett; one sister, Mary (Carl) Barnes of Owosso, MI; one brother, Wallace (Sharon) Huggett, of Marlette, MI; one brother-in-law, George Beck, of Palms, MI; and many additional family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Lois Beck; sister-in law Janet (Harr) Schafer; and brother-in-law Bob Harr. Jim is additionally survived by brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Henry and Gladys Dreps (DeWitt, MI), Ray and Doris Feldpausch (Lansing, MI), Ken and Sharon Harr (Plymouth, MI), Paul and Mary Ann Harr (Fowler, MI), Larry and Joan Schaefer (DeWitt, MI), Ron and Mary Simon (DeWitt, MI), Leroy and Sharon Harr (DeWitt, MI), Darlene Harr (DeWitt, MI), John Schafer (DeWitt, MI), and Rick and Maureen Harr (Pewamo, MI). Our “Gentle Farmer” had the gates of heaven opened too soon. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 18, 2010, at St. Mary of the Nativity Catholic Church, 112 S. Beebe St. , Marshall, Wisconsin. Father Michael Radowicz will be presiding. Burial will follow at St. Mary ’s Catholic Cemetery in Marshall. A visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m on Friday, September 17, 2010, at the church and again on Saturday, September 18, 2010, from noon until time of service at the church. Online condolences may be made at www.866allfaiths.com The family suggests memorials be made to the Marshall Scholarship Foundation c/o F&M State Bank, P.O. Box 660, Marshall, WI 53559. All Faiths Funeral & Cremation Services Madison (608)442-0477 www.866allfaiths.com