"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'"— Fred Rogers
Sunday, February 9th, started out as an unusual day. As a lover of snow, I’m usually eager—maybe even a little excited—to wake up early and start plowing for friends and neighbors, making sure their driveways are clear for the morning.
But this Sunday was different. When my alarm went off, I chose to sleep in, delaying my usual route. And when I did finally get started, I broke from my lifelong habit of plowing in a clockwise rotation—something I’ve done since I was in diapers. Instead, I zigzagged my way through, landing at Jim and Grandma LaVonne’s house to find part of the driveway already cleared by our friend Richard.
As I pulled up, I was greeted by a wave from Jim’s daughter Bethany. She was dropping off a birthday card for my grandmother. Originally, she had planned to come later that afternoon with her daughters, but something made her stop by early.
Walking into the house, I was greeted by Jimmer at the door—dressed to the nines in a freshly pressed, blue-striped suit, an American flag lapel pin gleaming on his jacket, and his signature white hair neatly combed. He had just been walking out to pull the car up for church, looking, as we joked, like he was a senator. My grandma soon appeared, equally dressed to impress.
After wishing her a happy birthday, I casually invited myself to her birthday lunch, asking what time to show up and where we were going. They both smiled and welcomed me along. As I finished plowing, my mother, Tia, reached out to my grandma to wish her a happy birthday as well. When she heard about lunch, she decided to join too—something the four of us hadn’t done together in years.
Now, my mother, Tia, and I are not early for anything. But that morning, she was 15 minutes early waiting in my driveway while I got ready. Subconsciously, thinking I should change into something a little nicer to match Jimmer’s dapper look. When I jumped in her car and we drove into town, she was finishing a phone conversation with a friend, pausing to say, “Gosh, I just have a weird pit in my stomach that I just can’t shake.”
The Lord puts the right people in the right place at the right time.
As we walked into lunch, early for the first time in our lives, we saw our friend Richard, who had plowed for Jimmer and LaVonne earlier that morning. Beside him were our friend Eric and later Brad—a motley crew enjoying a peaceful Sunday. After catching up briefly, we all greeted LaVonne with birthday wishes, Jimmer walked beside her, smiling.
Once we sat down at our table, the conversation was light and full of laughter—talking about life, mozzarella sticks, and Super Bowl bets. Jimmer and my grandma had just signed up for the same Super Bowl board as me, and they jokingly showed me a picture of Jim’s “winning” numbers, thanking me in advance for my donation.
What happened next is where confronted with a crisis, our small community shined. The same friends, Richard, Eric, and Brad, who we had just been laughing with moments before, were suddenly sprung into action when Jimmer’s health declined. Lisa and the Hotel staff helped without hesitation, while other patrons immediately called 911. We rushed to call our loved ones, Bethany, Hanna, and Steve arriving at a moment’s notice with love and support. At that moment, the strength of a close-knit town was on full display—This was my first time in a crisis like this, and looking around, I took comfort when I noticed the EMTs who responded were friends, those who ran across the restaurant to assist were friends, Lisa, the owner who closed the restaurant for the rest of the day, is a friend. Doug from Lewin Funeral Home, who later arrived to offer comfort, is a friend.
As the dust started to settle, the adrenaline wore off, and the tears subsided, I couldn’t help but smile, knowing how much love and care surrounded us in our time of need from those who were there and had heard what had happened.
James Willard Everson passed away after church, at lunch, celebrating his wife. He was bragging about his Super Bowl numbers, drinking a Bloody Mary, eating mozzarella sticks, and surrounded by people who loved him—right up to the very last second.
Life is unexpected. If I had woken up earlier, I’d never had invited myself to lunch or been able to spend those final moments together. It’s a day I will never forget, not for the sadness, but for the way everyone around us stepped up. Hug and call your loved ones, invite yourself to lunch, take the family picture, and when you see someone in crisis, don’t be afraid to help, even the strongest around you can use your support.
James W. Everson, age 86, of Fremont, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, February 9, 2025 in Fremont. He was born on September 25, 1938 in Almond, WI, the son of the late Elmer and Ovella(Behnke) Everson.
He attended Berlin High School, graduating in 1956. During high school and maybe even before that, Jim would haul canned milk for his father's cheese factory. After high school Jim's dad taught him to be a cheesemaker at the family cheese factory, Brushville Cheese Factory. Jim continued to operate the business before retiring in 1987. He also established Jim's Cheese Corner and later the Sail Inn Restaurant in Auroraville which he ran for many years before retiring. Jim married Sandra Looker at Emmaus Lutheran Church on May 9, 1959. Together they had four children, Bruce, Brian, Brad and Bethany. Sandra preceded him in death on June 8, 2003. After she passed, Jim came out of a six year retirement and worked as a field man for Weyauwega Star Dairy and continued to do so for the last 17 years.
On June 28, 2008, Jim married LaVonne (Koehler) Handrich at Christ Lutheran Church in West Bloomfield.
He was a member of Emmaus Ev. Lutheran Church in Poy Sippi. He enjoyed fishing in Canada, golfing, bowling, and playing softball. Jim was an avid Chicago Cubs fan. In more recent years, Jim enjoyed spending time at the casinos, where he usually had some pretty good luck. He will be greatly missed by many, but especially by his two granddaughters, whom he visited and spent time with every Saturday.
Jim is survived by his wife, LaVonne; a son, Brad Everson; a daughter, Bethany (Karl) Wohlt; three grandchildren, Jesse, Makana and Mckinlee; a brother, Thomas (Karen) Everson; a sister, Jane (Hugh) Jones; a sister-in-law, Genevieve Everson; a step-son, Andy Handrich; a step-daughter, Tia (Steve) Arndt; five step-grandchildren, Tanisha, Brianna, Bryce, Taylor(Hanna) and Claire; three step-great-grandchildren, Devin, Zach and Skylar; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends .
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Sandra two sons, Bruce and Brian Everson, and a brother, Lloyd Everson.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 11:30 am at Emmaus Ev. Lutheran Church, N4494 Hwy 49 & County Rd. H, Poy Sippi. Rev. Brian Weber will officiate. Visitation will be held at Emmaus Ev. Lutheran Church on Thursday, from 9:00 am until the time of service. A memorial fund has been established.
