James “Jim” LeMense, 94, of Brussels, passed away quietly on Dec. 22, 2024, after a long hard battle with dementia. He was born October 2, 1930, in Brussels, Wisconsin to Fred and Mabel (Charles) LeMense. Jim served his country in the US Army and was a proud member of the Combat Engineers Battalion in the Korean War.  He was awarded 4 Stars, including the Bronze Star for Heroic Achievement.

Jim married Maxine Mallien on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1954. He worked at Peterson Builders and later started LeMense Builders in the early 1960’s.  Jim and Maxine together owned the Captain’s Inn Supper Club in Sturgeon Bay from 1976 to 1982.

Jim served on the first Brussels Fire Department, belonged to the Gardner Rifle Club, and was a member of the Amvets and American Legion.  His main loves were hunting and fishing, enjoying his cabin up north in Wisconsin for long weekend getaways and wintering in Marco Island, Florida.  He also raced snowmobiles for several years and somehow earned the nickname “Over the Fence LeMense”.  Jim worked hard but also played hard and loved his friends.

Survivors include his loving wife of 70 years Maxine, his daughter Melissa Thomas, son-in-law Dave Thomas, sister Betty Hanamann and 3 nieces. Jim was proceeded in death by his parents, Fred and Mabel LeMense, brother-in-law Carl Hanamann, in-laws Ray and Irene Mallien, granddaughter Alex Thomas and his “Best Friend Herbie”, his Beagle.

Funeral services will be 11:00 am Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, at St. Francis and St. Mary Parish in Brussels.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.  Friends may call at the church on Saturday from 9:00 am until the time of service. Forbes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please make your donation in James LeMense’s honor to: Dementiasociety.org or Dementia Society of America, PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901

CHEERS JIM !