James “Jim” Orvin Evrard, age 77, of Grantsburg, passed away at home with family at his side on February 10, 2020 from a short battle with cancer.

Jim was born on July 19, 1942, to parents, Ileen (Castonia) and Orvin Evrard. Jim graduated from Oconto Falls High School in 1960.  He received his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1964 and 1969. Between his degrees he joined the U. S. Peace Corps and served as a technical advisor to the Peruvian Wildlife and Forestry Service in Cuzco, Peru. 

While in graduate school he met the love of his life Shirley Ogurek and they were married on August 26, 1967.  They had two daughters Lori and Terri.

Jim worked for 31 years for the WI Department of Natural Resources.  While in Grantsburg he was a wildlife researcher and a project manager for the Glacial Lake Grantsburg Work Unit.

He was honored with the Wisconsin Award, given by the Wisconsin Chapter of the Wildlife Society in 2004.  This is the highest award given by the professional society in Wisconsin.

In retirement, he devoted much of his time to the Wisconsin Sharp-tailed Grouse Society, The Friends of Crex, The Crex Meadows Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, The Wisconsin Chapter of The Wildlife Society, and was a member of many other organizations.

Since 1999 he wrote over 400 articles related to conservation for the newspaper Wisconsin Outdoors News.  Earlier he wrote the column, North Country, for the Burnett County Sentinel.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman, enjoyed camping with family, reading, writing, and his grandchildren.

Preceding Jim in death were his parents, Ileen and Orvin Evrard; sister-in-law, Sylvia Alexander; mother-in-law, Clara (Filipiak) Ogurek; and father-in-law, Mayland Ogurek.

Jim is survived by his wife of 52 years, Shirley “Shirl - my girl” Evrard; daughters, Lori (Bill Schneeberger) Evrard and Terri (Michael) Joyce; his teenage grandchildren, Brooke and Jack Joyce; brother, Thomas (Barbara) Evrard; sister, Mary (Dean) Schmutzler; sisters-in-law, Barbara Ogurek, Sharon (Kalvin) Stuner, Debbie (James) Kinas, Donna (Don) Rosiejka; brothers-in-law, Robert (Cindy) Ogurek and Larry Alexander; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Per Jim’s request, no formal services will be held. A memorial honoring him will be held sometime this summer. Please reference the Swedberg-Taylor website for updates.

Thank you to Regional Hospice Services for their help in Jim’s last month.

In lieu of flowers or gifts please donate to the Wisconsin Sharp-tailed Grouse Society, the Friends of Crex, or the Crex Meadows Chapter of Ducks Unlimited.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home in Grantsburg.

Last Update: Feb 14, 2020 6:52 am CST