Jerome J. "Jim" Zakrzewski

Jerome James Zakrzewski

Our beloved Husband, honored father, grandfather and great grandfather, and proud farmer walked toward the light to meet his Savior on December 1, 2017. His word was his bond and a firm handshake sealed many deals. He was blessed to have many friends who stopped to visit after his stroke in 2011.

At age 83, Jim was a lifelong resident of the Stevens Point area. He was born May 10, 1934 to the late Emeryck and Irene (Kawski) Zakrzewski. He was proud to be in one of the last graduating classes of Lake View School (a one room school house in the Town of Carson), and graduated from P.J. Jacobs High School in 1951. He began working with his parents at the Blue Top Drive –In where he met Delores Riske, whom he married on April 19, 1954.

Jim enjoyed the challenge of farming. Raising beef cattle and crops of soybeans, corn, and green beans for Del Monte, but his pride and joy was growing his sweet corn. Blue Top sweet corn was enjoyed by many people, locally and around the world. Together Jim and Delores founded Blue Top Farms in 1959 with 80 acres and a barn, later adding acres at they became available. It took hard work and long hours to accomplish his goals. His son-in-law Mike Hintz was his longest employee who started working for Jim at 13 years old (50 years ago). For relaxation, Jim loved hunting trips out West, fishing in Canada and the "hunting camp" in Junction City with his family and friends. He also loved spending time up north at their cottage and visiting with his neighbors.

In lieu of flowers, contribution in Jim's name will be used to establish a scholarship for nursing students and memorials for wild life preservation and local community projects.

He is survived by his wife Delores of 63 years, his children Jackie (Mike) Hintz, Michael (Debbie) Zakrzewski, Peter (Laina) Zakrzewski and Dawn Zakrzewski. His grandchildren Leslie (Kurt) Calkins, Jeremy (Angela) Hintz, Sam, Lucas, Gus, Emeryck, Owen and Zane Zakrzewski. Great grandchildren Kaylee, AnnaMarie, Mackenzie and Natalie Hintz and a daughter in law Vicki (Dennis) Lewandowski. Jim was preceded in death by his parents Emeryck and Irene, a son Mark, a grandson Seth Zakrzewski and a brother Richard Zakrzewski.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday December 6, 2017 at St. Bronislava Catholic Church in Plover. Rev. Ed Shuttleworth officiating. Burial will be in the Guardian Angel Cemetery at a later date. Family and friends may call from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday evening at the Pisarski Funeral Home, 703 Second Street, Stevens Point, and from 9:00 A.M. Wednesday morning at St. Bronislava Church until the time for mass. There will be a parish rosary at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday evening at the funeral home. The Pisarski Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.pisarskifuneralhome.com .

The family would like to send a special thank you to Drs. Erbe and Tariq, and Stephanie and Morgan in the Intensive care unit at St. Michaels for their kindness and care given to Jim, and to all the home care givers, especially Lexi, Nancy, and Chris.