Jim Zentner

Jim Zentner

A much-loved son, brother, uncle, and friend, James (Jim) Zentner, 63, of Wisconsin Dells passed away at his lifelong home on June 10, 2025.

Jim was born to Samuel and Anna (Gaffney) Zentner, on October 21, 1961, and graduated from Adams-Friendship High School.

Jim loved a wide variety of indoor and outdoor hobbies including fishing, hunting, pool, trap shooting, and horseshoes. He enjoyed traveling with friends for fishing and hunting trips, and loved his daily morning coffee with close friends at the Corner Pump.

Jim was a 4th generation dairy farmer, and shifted to working for the Adams-Columbia Electric Coop later in life. Jim also entertained many in the area, as both a karaoke deejay and chef of amazing pig roasts.

Jim is survived by his sister Mary and husband Jack Ellinger, nieces Lisa Ellinger (and husband Andy Richards), Kelsey (Rhinehart) Hall (and husband Darrell), and nephews John Ellinger, Austin Rhinehart (and wife Dayle), John Lenten and Jim Lenten.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jack Zentner, sisters Marjorie Lenten and Jeanette Rhinehart, brothers-in-law Douglas Rhinehart and David Lenten, and nephew Joseph Ellinger.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Roseberry’s Funeral Home in Friendship. Visitation will be on Saturday, June 14th from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will be at the White Creek Cemetery. Following the cemetery service, there will be a luncheon/celebration of life at the Lucky 13.

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Condolences

  1. Peggy Stormoen says:

    I remember Jimmy from our Castle Rock days. The little brother of Jan and as cute as cute could be. I called him Slim. At the service for Jan, I was able to give Jimmy a big smile and a shout out to Slim. Him and I had a very heart touching hug. He made me feel like we were the buds from days long ago and picked right up from there. It is so nice to see all the condolences about how witty and giving he was. That is the little brother Slim that I knew and will cherish my memories. RIP Slim

  2. Ricky Schaetzka says:

    My most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Jimmy! He will be missed greatly! Could not find a better guy than him! Rest in peace Jimmy!

  3. Chris Havel says:

    Jimmy and I sat together on the bus every day for nine years (counting kindergarten) on our way to Castle Rock Grade School. We talked about baseball – A LOT – and how great an athlete his older brother, Jackie, was and how much he also wanted to be a good athlete. Jim was a very good baseball player and along with Brian and cousin Curt and Chuck Pollex.
    He was a big man with an even bigger heart. And a wickedly wonderful sense of humor.
    THE BEST HALLOWEEN PARTY EVER was at the Zentner Farm. Everything from the treats to the tricks to all the classmates in costume having fun – it’s one of the best memories ever.
    Rest in peace,
    Jimmy
    We’ll be taking that ride together again.
    Love you!

  4. Dean Gleason says:

    He was a great guy and will be missed. He was my horseshoe throwing partner the last 2 years with the American Legion.

  5. Colleen LaFave says:

    My deepest sympathies to you Mary & Jack.
    You are in my thoughts and prayers.

  6. Jim and Nancie Cook says:

    Our deepest condolences to all affected by Jim’ passing! He was a well liked person that truly loved life, farming, hunting and fishing. He is surely going to be missed by his friends and family.

  7. Eleanor Bonnett says:

    Mary & Jack and family
    I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
    Didn’t know Jim well, but he always spoke to us.
    Prayers for Peace and Comfort during this difficult time.

  8. Eleanor Bonnett says:

    Mary & Jack and family
    We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Didn’t know Jim well, but could always speak to us to acknowledge us.
    Prayers for Peace and Comfort during this sad time.

  9. Nick and Robin Hiller and kids says:

    So sorry to hear this news. We had a lot of great times together shooting pool, horseshoes, karaoke, pig roasts and family get togethers. He will be missed for sure!

  10. David Silas says:

    Sad news, sorry to hear of Jimmy’s passing. My condolences to his family.
    I will miss my old classmate, back in day, we enjoyed poker games with the guys. RIP Jimmy

  11. Mike krah says:

    Another one of Adams county finest gone to soon, so sorry to hear

  12. Lou Ann Schmitz says:

    Sorry to hear of the loss of a great man.

  13. Sue Moran says:

    So sorry for your families loss. You have our sincere condolences.

  14. Mike and Elaine Berry says:

    So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. He was a great guy

  15. Bob Luce says:

    My condolences to the family of my high school classmate, Jim. He was a nice guy and I’m saddened to hear the news.

  16. Mary & Ross Moore says:

    Sending sincerest condolences to Jimmy’s family. So sorry for your loss. He will be missed.

  17. Bob and Tina Bennett says:

    Jim had a warm heart and quick wit. Just a great all-around person. Our sympathies and prayers are with the family.

  18. Heather Hilson says:

    Jimmy Z………one of the nicest people I have ever met. This world will not be the same without you. May you rest in peace.

  19. Allen Rathman says:

    Sorry for your loss Sending prayers.

  20. Fred Renner says:

    This is terrible news. My condolences to Jimmy’s family… You all have my family’s deepest sympathy. Fred, Debbie, Hunter and Ryan

  21. Dick and Marj Colby says:

    So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. He always had a ready laugh and engaging conversation. He will be sorely missed. Condolences to the family.

  22. Heather Wemmer says:

    Jimmy Z…I hear you got all the ringers at Shoes last week and ran the pool table for hours. You’re going to be missed by us Wemmer’s. Always in good company when you were around.

  23. Peg Lecy says:

    So sorry on your loss

  24. Bob Bowser says:

    So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. He will surely be missed by family and friends. He was a great guy

  25. Robert Williams says:

    So sorry for your loss. Jim was such an easy going and nice man. Sending or deepest condolences . Rob & Sherri

  26. Robert Williams says:

    So sorry for your loss. Jim was such an easy going and nice man. Sending or deepest condolences . Rob & Sherri

  27. Jason and Cathy Hammond says:

    Our deepest and most heart felt condolences to all of Jims’ family and friends. He will be missed by so many.

  28. Chuck and Julie Schnolis says:

    So sorry to hear of Jimmy’s passing. He was such a nice guy and will be missed. Many hugs!!

  29. Dan & Diane Kane says:

    Our deepest sympathies to Jim’s family, so sorry for your loss.

  30. Michael T Clark says:

    So sorry for your family’s loss….

  31. Tammy says:

    My condolences to the family.

  32. Karen (Schaetzka) Christensen says:

    Mary, Jack and family, My sympathy to all of the family with the loss of your brother Jim.

  33. Bill DeGarmo says:

    Mary, Jack and family,
    So sorry for your loss.
    First thing that came to mind when I heard the news, was a conversation that I had with Jim, was at the Gaffney Family reunion. I hadn’t seen Jim in a while but we talked as if it were an everyday occurrence. Such an amazing man. He will be missed.

  34. Amy Payne says:

    Very sad to hear of Jimmy’s passing. May he be remembered for his quiet strength and gentle soul. He was a pleasure to work with and we will miss his quick wit and kind laugh. Condolences to all his family and friends. Rest in Peace, Jimmy!

  35. Jerry & Mary Lou Poehler says:

    So sorry for your loss. We were very shocked to hear of his passing. Jim was a great guy. He would do anything for you. Will miss him at the Corner Pump in the morning.

  36. Becky and Steve Pink says:

    My sincere condolences to Jimmy’s family.
    Jimmy was one of those rare individuals that warmed your heart from the day you met him. His answer to almost every work question I had was “sure, whatever you need me to do”…. His positive outlook and generous spirit impacted my day in a positive way and I’ll be forever grateful to have met him! God bless you, Jimmy!

  37. Lloyd and Pam VanBeek says:

    So sad to hear of Jimmy’s passing. Will never forget all those Oxbo trips he took with us. Such a kind person and always full of advice. Always giving up crap about our fans running at night and us giving him crap about getting up to early. You will be missed Jimmy Z.

  38. Barkley Coon says:

    I am so sorry for your loss! He was such a great guy!

  39. Kurt & Katie Wagner says:

    We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Jim. He was such a sweet kind person,
    and will be deeply missed by all! Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Zentner family.
    With our deepest sympathy,
    Kurt & Katie

  40. Donald Abfall says:

    So sorry to here about Jim’s passing 😢Our condolences 🙏 Don and Debbie

  41. Coy Sawyer says:

    Saddened to hear this news. Jim was a good friend and teammate. He never seemed unnerved. He was as kind a person as I’ve ever met. I will miss seeing him at our class reunions.

  42. Sue & Randy Anderson says:

    So shocked and saddened by this news. Jim was a great guy always a smile and a great conversation. He will be missed by every one that knew him. Our deepest sympathy to his family.

  43. Dale Rhinehart says:

    Sorry for your loss, Jim always had a good sense of humor

  44. Liz Hendricksen says:

    Jimmy was truly one of a kind and a great person! He always made us laugh and smile… and occasionally shake our heads. He was always willing to offer a helping hand and was full of good ideas. The world needs more people like Jimmy! He was a great employee, and more importantly a good friend. He will be missed by so many. My condolences to the whole family!

  45. Jan Baumgartner says:

    My sincere condolences to Jim’s family. He was such a good guy, always a smile on his face. He will be missed!

  46. Elizabeth Romanelli says:

    My heart is broken.. Jimmy was one of kind for sure.Going to miss him immensely.

  47. Reuben and Betty Stark says:

    Will miss him and his smile sorry for his loss.

  48. Pat Pietrzak says:

    Mary, Jack & family, I’m so sad and sorry to hear about Jimmy. Many memories with him, all the way from kindergarten through adulthood. He will be missed by all who knew him. Gone too soon, rest in peace Jimmy and just so you know, you made the best “apple pie” cider we ever had on the Oxbo trips.

  49. Jodi Lecy Helgeson and Jim Grabarski says:

    Such a great guy. He always had a smile. He will be missed

  50. Karen Rank says:

    I am so sorry for your loss. I went to school with Jim, always a nice guy. We will miss him at our class reunions

  51. Karen Heitman and Ron Jordi says:

    Our sincerest sympathy! To a wonderful man and family. So sorry for your loss💔
    All of our loss.

  52. Karen Heitman and Ron Jordi says:

    Our sincerest sympathy! To a wonderful man and family. So sorry for you loss💔
    All of our loss.

  53. Lori Ward says:

    So sorry for the families loss.

  54. Linda and Doug Donley says:

    Very sad to hear. Jim and his mom and dad were our neighbors for years when we lived down by him. He will be missed.

  55. Shirley Theisen and family says:

    Sincere condolences for the passing of Jim. He was so well liked by everyone. May you all cherish your memories.

  56. Bob and Alet Grabarski says:

    What a shock, I truly enjoyed Z whenever our paths crossed. I worked with him many times in the Dairy industry when we were doing committee work for Adams/Marquette Holstein Association. Great guy, RIP Jim.

  57. Diane and Larry VanBeek says:

    Such a caring person. Will be deeply missed by so many. Rest in peace my friend.

  58. Cindy Babcock and Todd Stammen says:

    Our condolences to the family, What a sweet man, always friendly. He will be missed .

  59. Jenni Tannis says:

    I am shocked and saddened by this news 😭
    He was a wonderful caring man I will miss him giving me hard time for forgetting to bring him his chicken and dumplings soup. You will be soo missed by many. My deepest sympathy to the family 🙏💔

  60. Kari Banovec says:

    I’m so sad to hear of Jim’s passing – he was a wonderful man & great coworker! He will be missed by everyone who knew him.

  61. Alan and Tammy Babcock says:

    So very sad what a great man he will deeply be missed. Thinking of you and the family.

  62. Kay Olson says:

    I am shocked to hear of Jim’s passing. He was so willing to help where ever and whenever he was asked. Such a wonderful person with a beautiful soul. May the Great Spirit Above along with our Heavenly Father hold and comfort his family members and friends. My deepest Sympathy.