James “Jim” Robert Czerwonka, age 91, of Chetek, WI, died Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Eau Claire, WI. He was born on March 18, 1935 in Chetek, WI to Nicholas and Irene (Koenig) Czerwonka.

Jim graduated from Chetek High School in 1953 and after High School he worked for Lampert Yards and later Inland Lumber and then a lumber yard and later managed the remodeling department. He was married to Ardyce “Ardie” Solie on March 2, 1957 in Chetek.

Jim owned and operated Beloit Building and Remodeling for 8 years, they owned and operated Jim and Ardie’s Liquor Store in Cameron for 23 years and planted over 100,000 Christmas trees on the farm. He owned and operated Jim and Ardie’s Tree Farm for over 40 years and at the age of 75 he cut 100 cords of popple. He served on the Board at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Chetek, served as secretary of the Civic Club for 23 years, he was on the Barron Hospital Board for 20 years, and on the Barron County Woodland Association for 20 years. He started his family museum in his shed for years which he called “Before Electricity and Tractors” and then moved everything to the Barron County Pioneer Village Museum in Cameron. He volunteered through the age of 90 at the Barron County Pioneer Village Museum.

Jim enjoyed the outdoors, dancing, playing cards - especially cribbage. He enjoyed date night with Ardie for years. Jim was determined, an inventor, innovative, a planner, organized, and a true builder. Jim was a legend and a great role model. He is survived by his wife, Ardyce “Ardie” Czerwonka; 4 children, Vicki Melgaard, Valerie (Jeff) Radecki, Deanna (Dean) LaMont and Brad (Susan) Czerwonka; 9 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; a brother, Norman (Shirley) Czerwonka; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by an infant son, James; an infant daughter, Cheryl; his parents, Nicholas and Irene Czerwonka; and a sister, Delores Shaurette.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Noon, Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rice Lake, WI, Father Ed Anderson officiating, with interment in St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery in Chetek, WI.

Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the Funeral Service at the Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to Barron County Pioneer Village Museum in Cameron. His favorite line was - “You name it and I’ve done it.”

Last Update: Apr 14, 2026 9:13 am CDT