Jim was born on May 8, 1957 in Fort Atkinson to Fay Ernest and Irene Josephine (Prust) Carnes. He spent his early life living and working on the local family dairy farm, and loved fishing and hunting since he was a young boy.
Jim married highschool sweetheart, Laura Hoffman in 1979 and together they had three loving children. August 18, 2019 marks 40 years of marriage together.
Jim was an avid sports fan, especially the Packers, Brewers, Bucks, Badgers and the Chicago Blackhawks. He loved attending his children and grandchildren’s sporting events and rarely missed a game. He was a member of the Blackhawk Boat Club for ten years and in his spare time, loved hunting, fishing, golfing, camping, boating, playing foosball, and occasionally travelling.
Jim worked as a maintenance technician for Clasen Quality Chocolate, which he enjoyed immensely. He was often recognized for his unrelenting work ethic throughout his career, having received many perfect attendance awards throughout his time at Clasen and nearly forty years at Tyson Foods.
“Jimmer” never passed up a Friday Fish Fry, an opportunity to enjoy nature and admire deer, or a cold beer at Bitz’s. He’ll be long remembered for his sense of humor, distinctive laugh and unwavering devotion to family.
Jim is survived by his wife, Laura; children, Rebecca Carnes (Lamarcus) of Madison, Cory (Ashley) Carnes of Chicago, Nicole (Jens) Housley of Lake Mills; grandchildren, Quentyn James Carnes, Carter William Carnes, Kellen Scott Housley and ones to come; siblings, Randall Carnes, Jan (Tony) Amato, Linda (Otto) Hopp, Sandra (Robert) Wolfram, Cheryl (Jeff) Griedl; brother-in-law, Craig Hoffman; sister-in-law, Lisa Hoffman; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
He is preceded in death by his grandmother, Josephine Prust; parents, Fay and Irene Carnes; sister-in-law, Darlene Carnes; father-in-law, Lewis Hoffman; mother-in-law, Nancy Fiege.
Services in Jim’s honor for family and friends will take place at 6:30 P.M. on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at the Nitardy Funeral Home, 1008 Madison Ave., Fort Atkinson, WI 53538. Visitation will begin at 3:30 P.M and friends and family are welcome any time before the time of services. A burial will take place at a later date.
The family would like to send special thanks to Clasen Quality Chocolate, family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers for the overwhelming amount of support. A sincere and heartfelt ‘thank you’ to those who traveled near and far, wishing you a safe return home.
The Nitardy Funeral Home Fort Atkinson is assisting the family with arrangements.
“My husband, our father, our grandpa, we feel you still with us, we know you will be there for every special moment. Every game your grandchildren play, every graduation, and every birth of a new grandchild. Until the day we are all joined together again, we will miss you so much. You are forever in our hearts.” -Your Family
