Dr. James C. Stoltenberg's Obituary
Dr. James C. Stoltenberg, a Pioneer in Wisconsin Education, of the Portage County town of New Hope passed away under Hospice care at his home, Sunset Farm on Wednesday November 2, 2005. He was 83 years old. Jim was born on November 11, 1921 the son of Albert and Mabel (Riestad) Stoltenberg. He was a life long educator and conservationist. Jim received his teaching certificate in Rural Education from the Central State Teachers’ College and went on to teach for a year at the one room Brown School east of Rosholt, WI. World War II intervened and Jim became a Navy pilot. On July 4, 1944, Jim met the love of his life, Dorothy Larsen. They married on November 17, 1944 in Corpus Christi, Texas. After the war, Jim had the opportunity to become a commercial airline pilot, but decided that education was his passion. He returned to CSTC where he completed his degree in 1948. He was one of the eight graduates of Fred Schmeekle to graduate with a conservation education major. Jim and Dorothy moved to Merrill, WI in 1948 where he taught conservation education. He then became the first principal of the Merrill Junior High School. Jim went on to receive a Masters Degree in Education from UW-Madison, and in 1955 accepted a position at Franklin School in Racine, Wisconsin. At the time Jim arrived, the school had a reputation for being a tough as nails inner-city school. He went into every student’s home, involved the parents and community and told every student, We’re going to make a successful person out of you. Jim believed that trust and love worked better than fear and hate. Jim was also proud to have hired the first African-American teacher in Racine. Jim also served as the Assistant Superintendent of Schools for the Racine School district. Jim left Racine in 1961 to join the faculty at UW-Madison as the Director of the Wisconsin Improvement Program, which was a pioneering program that trained liberal arts graduates as teachers and afforded them the opportunity to work as interns in school districts around the state. He was also a professor in curriculum instruction and education administration. Jim then returned to Merrill where he served as Superintendent of Schools while working on his Ph.D. at UW-Madison. He then returned to UW-Madison as the Executive Secretary of the Wisconsin Improvement Program. In 1979, Jim became the Dean of the College of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where he helped to establish a summer Transescent Seminar for educators in middle level education. He was also instrumental in the development of the Center of Education for the Young Adolescent at UW-Platteville. Jim had a passion for education and a lifetime of achievements in middle level education. He received numerous awards throughout his life for excellence in education. In 1985, the Wisconsin Association for Middle Level Education established the James C. Stoltenberg award, given annually to a middle school educator who exemplifies excellence in and dedication to education of the young adolescent. Jim retired in 1985 and he and Dorothy moved back into the house where Jim was born, known as Sunset Farm. Jim remained active in the community, serving on the boards of a number of community organizations and remaining active in the educational community. He was a member of the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station Advisory Board and the Central Wisconsin Electrical Cooperative Board. In 1996, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point honored Jim with its Distinguished Alumni award. Jim spent the last decade of his life serving the community, traveling with Dorothy (including a trip to visit middle schools in China), practicing photography, gardening, and having great adventures with his youngest grandchild, Patrick Mahoney. Most of all, he and Dorothy spent their time enjoying the company of family, friends, and neighbors and celebrating their sixty years of fellowship and love. Jim was a great husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, mentor, role model, and leader. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy and daughter Sara Mahoney Terry (Dave) and four grandchildren Jim (Venus McGhee) Prince, Eliza Prince, Jennifer Morris, and Patrick Mahoney, and two step granddaughters, Deanna and Rachel Terry. He is also survived by son-in-laws, Robert Prince, Bill Morris, and Phil Mahoney, nieces, nephews, and many, many great friends. He was preceded in death by his daughters, Suzanne Prince and Jane Morris, sister Helen, brothers Phil and Vernon, step-sister Stella, step-brothers Irving and Marion, and his parents. Visitation will be held on Friday November 11, 2005 at Jungers-Holly Funeral Home in Amherst, WI from 4 pm- 7 pm. A Memorial Service will be held at North New Hope Lutheran Church 845 County T, Town of New Hope, Portage County, Amherst Jct., WI. 54407 on Saturday November 12, 2005 at 1 pm (one-half mile down MM at the intersection of MM and County T). There will be a reception following the Memorial Service at the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station Sunset Lodge, 10186 County MM, Amherst Jct, WI. 54407, 715-824-2428. Memorial contributions may be made to the North New Hope Lutheran Church Endowment Fund, 845 County T, Amherst Jct., WI. 54407 or to Ministry Hospice, C/O Ministry Home Care, 824 Illinois Ave. Stevens Point, WI. 54481. Thanks to all of our family and friends for your wonderful love and support.
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