James "Jim" Fostvedt

James “Jim” Fostvedt, age 83, of Chetek, WI passed away unexpectedly Saturday, May 27, 2017 at

his home. Jim was born on October 14, 1933 in Rice Lake, WI to Kenneth and Elaine (Hickey) Fostvedt.

Jim was a very hard worker and enjoyed working and getting to meet people. When he was

only seven years old, his grandfather, Julius Fostvedt, and his father, Kenneth Fostvedt, put him

to work washing milk bottles every day after school at the family business, Fostvedt Dairy. After

his graduation from Chetek, he joined the National Guard where he attended Officer School and

served for 12 years. Jim was moved to active duty during the Cuban Missile crisis. He, along

with Mike Waite, Buck Lear and other Chetek men had to report to Fort Lewis, WA ASAP. He

was discharged with an E7 rank. When Jim returned home, he took over the family business

until the mid-70’s. He then purchased a canning factory and the adjoining pickle fields and

developed the land into the Fostvedt Manor Mobile Home Park. In addition, he started Home

Juice, selling orange juice until the mid-80’s. Jim was elected mayor of Chetek and served his

community for two terms. During this time, his interest in real estate and business continued

with his ownership of Erin’s Supper Club and Carter’s Cafe. He also started Micro Heat, a

company to develop a prototype of a revolutionary fuel less furnace. He then got into the

trucking business after working as a driver for Wilson Lines. He started his own trucking

company, Heart of the North Express, which had 10 semi’s hauling for Menard’s and Budweiser.

He worked as a semi-truck driver for 13 years until his son, Jason, graduated from high school

and they bought a small 1500 gallon sewer truck; starting Sweetwater Sanitation Service in

Chetek, which is still going strong today. Jim was very proud of his son and this company,

especially when his grandson Nathan Fostvedt and granddaughter Meghan Fostvedt started

helping in the family business.

Jim was a very friendly and outgoing person. He loved to talk to everyone and to reminisce with

his childhood friends, Sonny Harris, Bob Cummings, Jack Gregg, and Russ Taft. His favorite

song was San Antonio Rose, he would often search the radio stations just to hear it. He also

enjoyed calling his grandkids, Nate and Meghan, each and every day to check in. He loved to

take care of their dog, Daisy, whenever they were out of town. He had a unique bond with each

of his grandchildren. He enjoyed giving them nicknames, doing goofy pranks, and telling crazy

stories. And in return, they called him Papa Jim or Roy. He loved all of his grandkids and

would take every opportunity to brag about their various achievements to anyone who would

listen. He was very active in the community as a member of the Knights of Columbus, the

American Legion, the Moose and Elk Clubs and as a member of St Boniface Catholic Church in Chetek.
Jim and Family

Jim is survived by his wife, Joan Fostvedt; his five children, Kim (Becky) Fostvedt, Joe (Kay)

Fostvedt, Julie (Dave) Zwernik, Kathy (Dave) Ziarnik, and Jason (Stacie) Fostvedt; his three

step-daughters, Joan (Bill) Langman, Dawn (Steve) Langman, and Danielle (Visuth) Sanmai; his

two sisters, Joann Richardson and Jean Fostvedt; as well as many grandchildren,

great-grandchildren, extended family, and friends.
Funeral Service

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Cameron on Wednesday, June 7, at 11:00 a.m. with Father Balaraju Policetty officiating and Military Honors accorded by Howard-Campbell-Ganske American Legion Post179 of Chetek. Visitation will be held for the hour prior to the Mass at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be at a later date in St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery in Chetek. Arrangements are with Rausch-Lundeen Funeral Homes, Cameron & Dallas.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James "Jim" Fostvedt, please visit our floral store.