James (Jim) Harold Gutting, age 90, passed away July 30, 2024 at home with family by his side. Jim spent many years with health problems but took each day as a new day, never complaining.
Jim was born to Elizabeth and Harold Gutting on June 19, 1934. Jim’s father passed away when Jim was only 3 years old. Jim did not get the chance to bond with his father or the many wonderful family members on his father’s side. Jim’s mother later remarried and he then lived with his mother and stepfather, Frank Conroy.
Following his graduation from Ellsworth High School, Jim joined the Navy in 1952 and served until 1956. After his career in the Navy, Jim worked for Minnesota Plastics and in 1959 he went to work for Farmer’s Union Central Exchange, Inver Grove Heights, now known as Cenex. Jim retired from there in 1996. Jim was also well known in East Ellsworth where he tended bar for Frank’s Bar, Stan Most’s Bar and Snowball’s.
Jim married Marlene Huber in 1960 and they were blessed with five children, Gregory, Bradley, and Dawn Gutting, Debra Hamilton, and Dori Fasbender.
Jim and Marlene were also blessed with five grandchildren, Tanner and Taylor Johnson, Chase and Courtney Fasbender and Emma Gutting, and step grandchildren including Ashley and Brady Keepers and Gina and Kyle Hamilton. Jim and Marlene now have one great-grandchild Mallory James Johnson, and three step great-grandchildren Brynlee, Vincent and Sophia Keepers.
Jim was preceded in death by his mother Elizabeth Conroy, father Harold Gutting, stepfather Frank Conroy, sister Patsy Abel, eldest son Gregory Gutting, sister and brother-in-law George and Betty (Mary) O’Connell, brother-in-law Emmet Thompson, mother and father-in-law Merlin and Viola Huber and step grandson Kyle Hamilton.
Jim is survived by his wife Marlene, son Brad (Leann), daughters Dawn Gutting, Debra Hamilton (Dan) and Dori Fasbender (Bruce), brother Charles “Rosie” Conroy, sister Alice Thompson, grandchildren Tanner Johnson, Taylor Johnson, Chase and Courtney Fasbender, and Emma Gutting. Step grandchildren Ashley Keepers, Brady Keepers, and Gina Hamilton. Great granddaughter Mallory James Johnson and step great grandchildren Brynlee, Vincent and Sophia Keepers along with many more loving family members and friends.
Services for Jim will be held Aug. 24 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, W5706 State Road 72, Ellsworth, WI. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with services and lunch following. A gathering for family and friends will be held after at the home of Brad and Leann Gutting, W5742 410th Ave., Ellsworth, WI.
The family would like to extend a heartful thank you for all the love and care given to Jim and our family by the thoughtful workers and volunteers of Adoray Home Health and Hospice. What an amazing organization to help us through such a trying time. Our thanks to you all.
Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.cremationsociety-wi.com.
