James R. Gordee, age 87 of Monroe, died peacefully on Monday, April 18, 2016 at his home. Jim was born on September 24, 1928 on a dairy farm on Dog Hollow Road in Jordan Township, the son of Alfred and Theresa (Amelong) Gordee. He graduated from Monroe High School in 1945 and earned a degree in Dairy and Food Technology from U.W. Madison in 1951. He married Jeraldine Chapman on June 25, 1950 in South Wayne. Jim and Jeri lived in Milwaukee where Jim worked as an inspector for the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture before moving to Monroe in 1955. Jim purchased his first insurance agency 6 weeks before the Palm Sunday Tornado in 1965 and operated Gordee Insurance until retiring in 1994.
Jim was an active member of the Union Presbyterian Church of Monroe, a Scoutmaster for Troop #113 for 20 years earning the Silver Beaver Award, a longtime Kiwanis Club member and advisor to the MHS Key Club, and belonged to the Independent Insurance Agents of Wisconsin, and the Society of Property and Casualty Underwriters. He was also active in the Jaycees, Madison Ski Club, Monroe Curling Club, and Monroe Country Club.
He is survived by a daughter, JoEllen (David) Mosher of Monroe; a son, Robert (Kirsten Dobson) Gordee of Waukesha; five grandchildren, Teresa (Kyle) Keehn, Scott (Katie) Mosher, Amy (Mike) McGarry, Adam Gordee (fiancee Melissa Colby), and John Dobson; seven great grandchildren, William, Brady, and Julia Keehn, Alivia, Henry, and Claire Mosher, and Emerson McGarry; two sisters, Evelyn Bell of Darlington, Jean (Howard) Hodel of Verona; and three sisters-in-law, Lois Gordee of Monroe, Carol Rudd of Neenah, and Betty (Duane) Teuscher of Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jeraldine in 2015; two brothers, Merlyn (Gloria) and Richard Gordee; and two brothers-in-law, Clarence Rudd and Everett Bell.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, April 22, 2016, at 11:00 a.m., at the Union Presbyterian Church, 2707 Fifth Street, Monroe, with Revs. Scott and Staci Marrese-Wheeler officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date in Greenwood Cemetery, Monroe. Visitation will be at the church on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established in Jim's name. The Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe, is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent at www.newcomerfuneralhome.net.
Jim was an active member of the Union Presbyterian Church of Monroe, a Scoutmaster for Troop #113 for 20 years earning the Silver Beaver Award, a longtime Kiwanis Club member and advisor to the MHS Key Club, and belonged to the Independent Insurance Agents of Wisconsin, and the Society of Property and Casualty Underwriters. He was also active in the Jaycees, Madison Ski Club, Monroe Curling Club, and Monroe Country Club.
He is survived by a daughter, JoEllen (David) Mosher of Monroe; a son, Robert (Kirsten Dobson) Gordee of Waukesha; five grandchildren, Teresa (Kyle) Keehn, Scott (Katie) Mosher, Amy (Mike) McGarry, Adam Gordee (fiancee Melissa Colby), and John Dobson; seven great grandchildren, William, Brady, and Julia Keehn, Alivia, Henry, and Claire Mosher, and Emerson McGarry; two sisters, Evelyn Bell of Darlington, Jean (Howard) Hodel of Verona; and three sisters-in-law, Lois Gordee of Monroe, Carol Rudd of Neenah, and Betty (Duane) Teuscher of Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jeraldine in 2015; two brothers, Merlyn (Gloria) and Richard Gordee; and two brothers-in-law, Clarence Rudd and Everett Bell.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, April 22, 2016, at 11:00 a.m., at the Union Presbyterian Church, 2707 Fifth Street, Monroe, with Revs. Scott and Staci Marrese-Wheeler officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date in Greenwood Cemetery, Monroe. Visitation will be at the church on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established in Jim's name. The Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe, is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent at www.newcomerfuneralhome.net.