Charles "Jim" F. Balsmeider, age 94, of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 27, 2025, with his loving wife of 70 years, Jean by his side. Visitation will be held at the United Presbyterian Church in Wisconsin Dells on Thursday, April 3, from 10:30 - 12:30 p.m. followed by the Memorial Service at 12:30 p.m., with Pastor Mark Hughey officiating. Burial will be held at Spring Grove Cemetery in Wisconsin Dells following the service. Military honors will be provided at the cemetery.
Jim was born in Wisconsin Dells, WI on May 2, 1930, the youngest and only son of Charles and Lois (Plumb) Balsmeider. He graduated from the Wisconsin Dells High School in 1948. He married the love of his life (Emma) Jean Henry on February 12, 1955, after returning home from the Korean Conflict. Theirs was a love like no other, she was his whole world. Jim then went to work for his father at Balsmeider Distributing, eventually taking over and running this successful distributorship until selling to Frank Beer Distributors in 1997. Jim and Jean enjoyed their retirement years together spending winters in Florida and summers between their homes in Wisconsin Dells and on Jordan Lake. Jim loved sports of all kinds, especially the Brewers, Packers, and Badgers.
Jim was a very proud VFW member, and he was also a truly kind and generous man. The Wisconsin Dells area was very blessed many times over by that kindness and generosity. Jim and Jean donated the basketball courts at Bowman Park, fondly known as Baldy's Courts. They donated to many organizations from the Girl Scouts to the Wisconsin Dells High School Basketball, Baseball and Football teams and many more. He was also the Wo-Zha-Wa Day Parade Marshall in 2017.
He was a man of few words, but a gentleman through and through to the very end. He was a devoted family man above all and his love for his family and his work family was beyond measure. His quiet grace and calming demeanor will be deeply missed by many. His was a life well lived.
Jim is survived by his sweetie as he called her, Jean Balsmeider. He is further survived by his brothers-in-law, James Reidelbach and Jerry (Lori) Henry and sisters-in-law, Shirley Henry and Judy Henry, as well as many special nieces and nephews. Also, his special friend and neighbor Jack Ragan. He is preceded in death by his parents and in-laws, his dear sister Dorothy Reidelbach, brothers-in-law, John, Curt, Clarence, and Alan as well as his beloved furry feline companion Bootsie.