James E. Mcdonald

James Edward McDonald (Jimmy), age 81, of Gays Mills, passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 16, 2021. James was born July 6, 1939, to the late Leo and Ruth (McCormick) McDonald in Boscobel, WI. James graduated from Gays Mills High School in 1957, and attended Technical School in La Crosse, WI before heading to work at American Motors in Kenosha. He was married to his wife Catherine (Duggan) (Katie) April 23, 1960, at Queen of Martyrs Catholic Church in Chicago, IL., and then was drafted into the Army in 1962. They were stationed at Fort McPherson in Atlanta, Georgia for 2 years. James and Catherine returned to Bell Center where they worked for the family business, The McDonald’s Store, in Bell Center and Gays Mills. James then worked as a rural mail carrier for 33 years. Throughout his career, he continued to work on the family farm. James loved these careers as he was such a hard worker, willing to help anyone, and loved visiting with so many people in the community. He will be missed by many family and friends. James is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Catherine McDonald; daughter Kara (Troy) Murphy of Prairie du Sac, WI; grandchildren Mackenna and Keaton Murphy; sisters, Rosemary Liggett of Racine, WI., and Janice Fillbach of Waunakee WI.; brother, Joseph (Janice) McDonald of Viroqua, WI., and many special nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter Amy Jo McDonald, and a brother-in-law William Fillbach. A visitation will be held 9:00am to 11:45am on Saturday, March 20, 2021, at Vosseteig Funeral Home in Gays Mills. A private mass will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Gays Mills. A special thank you to the wonderful staff at Soldiers Grove Health Services for caring for James as well as the St. Croix Hospice staff. Vosseteig Funeral Home of Gays Mills is serving James's family. 325 Sunset Ridge Ave. Gays Mills, 54631 (608) 735-2100