James (Jim) Lewis Besaw, age 87, from Manawa, Wisconsin, passed away on Tuesday evening, January 20th, 2026. He entered into his heavenly home peacefully, surrounded by his family at his home, as he had wanted.

James was born May 17th, 1938, in New London, Wisconsin, the son of Edward and Myrna (Roberts) Besaw. He had eight brothers and three sisters-a bustling, thriving, busy family that spanned many years. He completed high school at Washington High in New London in 1956. He then enlisted in the Army in June of 1956 as a senior aircraft mechanic and went to Korea and Okinawa, Japan. He continued with those amazing mechanical skills and could fix just about anything using just about anything.

During his time in the Army, he met and married Joyce Claudette Latza (New London), who was one of his sister Sandy's best friends. James and Joyce married August 9th, 1958, and they had 11 wonderful years together.

He planned to retire from the Army; however, in 1960 he came back to the States to care for his wife Joyce and then finished his active duty in February 1961. James and Joyce had four children together; sadly, Joyce passed away in June of 1969. James reached out for help and family stepped up. With four children, James soon needed to hire a housekeeper for more help. Sparks flew between the two, and soon Sandra, our new housekeeper, became Dad's wife. Sandra and James married on July 10th, 1971, and they had two sons together. The joke in our family is our housekeeper came to help and she kept the house. They have had 55 lovely years together, and Dad all these years has always called Sandy his Angel. True to that loving nature of her character, she has been steady by his side through all these years. As James' suffering in his last days grew worse and his day to leave for heaven grew nearer, she was constantly his personal nurse, keeping track of meds, appointments, and historical records, always there by his side.

While married to Joyce and then continuing through all his years with Sandy, James worked diligently at Curwood Inc. in New London until his retirement in 2003. He was always improving his knowledge and skills until he became one of three people doing quality control for the entire plant. He was self-educated in the molecular chemistry and chemical analysis of plastics used for packaging. Together with his inventive, creative mind, he could fix just about anything and found joy in solving problems and helping others.

James was well known in the communities where he lived, worked, and worshiped. He will always be remembered for his kind words, big heart, loving hugs, and attitude of giving and service. He deeply enjoyed family, friends, neighbors, and people all over. He was always ready to help whenever he was needed. His heart and his home were open to many a lost or wounded soul. Once, a visiting lost soul said to him, "You know what I'm going to call your home, Mr. Besaw-the house of many colors." That's because no matter your culture, your color, your faith, all were considered neighbors in James' home, and he loved all his neighbors.

He loved fishing, hunting, fixing, building, singing, and storytelling, especially with family and friends. A man of deep faith, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, a sexton, active in his church council, a lay minister, a volunteer fireman, a driver for the sick to appointments, distributed communion, and visited the sick in their homes. All of which, of his resources and time, he gave willingly and joyfully, using every ounce of his life in the service of others.

He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Sandra Jean (Nickel) Besaw (Hortonville); children and spouses: James (Della) Besaw, Steffanie (Dale) Myers, Mark (Christina) Besaw, Tod (Mary) Besaw, Steven (Cindy) Besaw, Benjamin (Sara) Besaw; over 60 grandchildren and great-grandchildren; siblings: Sandy Worm, Jerry "Butch" (Sue) Besaw, Jean (Cindy) Besaw, Christine (Bob) Rieckmann, Lee (Sue) Besaw, Greg (Sue) Besaw, Jeff (Cathy) Besaw and Francine (Rich) Engel; and many nieces and nephews, cousins and extended family.

James was preceded in death by his first wife Joyce (Latza); his parents, Edward and Myrna (Roberts) Besaw; father- and mother-in-law Joseph and Lula Mae (McFaul) Latza; as well as brother Jerome Besaw; brothers- and sisters-in-law Jack and Helen Besaw, Joe and Carol Besaw; brothers-in-law Marlin "Marly" Worm, Don Boulanger and Dennis Menting; sister-in-law Geraldine Nickel; five nephews and one niece; Gary Besaw, David Worm, Patricia "Patti" Taylor, Adam Nickel, Bradley Menting and Keith Boulanger.

A visitation for James will be held on Friday, January 30th, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Dahlke Life Celebration Center in Manawa, WI, (176 N Bridge St.) and also at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (614 S Bridge St.) on Saturday, January 31, from 9:00 a.m - 10:45 a.m. The Funeral Mass for James will be held at the church on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Kris Mekala officiating. A luncheon will be held immediately following the Mass at Bear Lake Resort, Manawa.

In lieu of flowers, James requests that you please donate to St. Jude's and help the children. Impact the lives of St. Jude kids - St. Jude Children's Research Hospital  https://share.google/SCPmw1HTQPBeYmNej