James Drankus

Obituary of James T. Drankus

James (Jim) Theodore Drankus, age 79, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2022. He was born on September 19, 1942 in Sheboygan WI to parents Ernst and Victoria (Lesperance) and had two sisters, Janice and Judith.

 

Jim was a loving husband to wife Carol (Kempka).  He was a loving father to 4 children, Ted (Jodi), Lisa (Bill), Amy (Matt), and Tim (Michelle).  He had 10 grandchildren to whom he all adored and adored him back equally Billy (Allison), Tyler (Emily), Jordan, Brandyn, Jared,  Autumn, Alexis, Ashlyn, Aubrey, and Sawyer.  He also became a great grandpa to two beautiful babies, Jagger (1) and Kinsley (7 mo.). 

 

He was a retired welding supervisor from Tower Automotive (formerly AO Smith).  He began working there after and while attending Milwaukee Area Technical College as well as the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.

 

When he was not at work, he enjoyed attending all his kids sporting events which included cross country, track, basketball, soccer, and bike racing.  Once the grandkids began sports, he then attended their sporting events. He loved to take his family camping in the summers, driving trips down to Ft Myers Beach over Easter Break, biking, hiking, shopping (especially to Sendiks), and could tell you the year and make of any old car that he would see. He also enjoyed sitting on his front porch and visiting with his neighbors. 

 

Jim was welcomed into heaven by his wife Carol, parents Ernst and Victoria, sister Judith, and grandson Jared.  

 

We will miss his sweet and kind smile, those brown eyes, his sense of humor, and especially those teddy bear hugs. We love you dad and want to thank you for providing us with such a wonderful childhood and instilling such great values in us.  

 

Although we miss you already so very much, we know you are at peace and back with mom, the love of your life.  

 

His children would also like to thank all the doctors and nurses in the ICU at Waukesha Memorial Hospital. We truly appreciate all you.  

 

The family has chosen to celebrate Jim’s life in a private ceremony.

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A Memorial Tree was planted for James
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Cesarz Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, Cremation & Pre-Planning Services
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