James I. Cardinal

James I. Cardinal, age 88, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 18, 2024, at his home.

 Jim was born on October 5, 1936, in Chippewa Falls to Marshall and Grace (Isom) Cardinal. He attended Chippewa Falls Senior High and graduated with the Class of 1955. On July 16, 1960, Jim married Rogene Nyhus at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Eagleton, WI. 

 He began serving the citizens of Chippewa County in 1955. Jim worked as a jailor, police officer, Undersheriff, Chief Deputy Sheriff, District Attorney’s Office Investigator, Coroner, retiring in 1999 as the Chippewa County Child Support Administrator. Additionally, from 1969-2015, Jim was Executive Director of the Wisconsin Sheriff’s and Deputy Sheriff’s Association.

 Jim’s community involvement included the Chippewa Falls Optimist Club, Early Risers Kiwanis Club, Chippewa Falls Shrine Club, and Chippewa Falls and Bloomer Masonic Lodges. 

 Jim is survived by his wife, Rogene Cardinal; four children, Samuel (Jennifer) Cardinal, Carmen (Warren) Dohms, Greta (Thomas Collins) Cardinal, and Sybil (Jason) Fasbender; six grandchildren, Megan, Nicholas, and Owen Fasbender, Matthew and Lauren Cardinal, and Gabriel Dohms. 

 He was preceded in death by his parents, Marshall and Grace Cardinal; brother and sister-in-law, R. Spencer and Mary Jane Cardinal; and grandson, Mitchell Fasbender. 

Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 PM, on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at Olson Funeral Home in Bloomer with a Masonic Service at 6:30 PM. A Memorial Service will be held at 12:00 PM, on Friday, November 22, 2024, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Chippewa Falls, with visitation starting at 11:00 AM. Inurnment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Chippewa Falls.