James "Jim" Louis Peters

James (Jim) Louis Peters passed away peacefully in his home in Monument, CO on May 22, 2024 at the age of 88 after a long battle with CTE/dementia. He was born on November 7,1935 in Antigo, WI to Marlowe and Helen Peters. He is predeceased by his parents and sister Julie Peters.

Jim met and married the love of his life, his hometown girl and his equal in adventure and spirit Jollene Ann Peters (nee Jepson) in Clintonville, WI in 1959. They were married for 65 years, had four children, and moved 61 times traveling for Jim’s career in the construction industry. They never stopped looking for the next adventure even after Jim’s retirement to Mora, NM and then their ranch in Elbert, CO.

Jim graduated from Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI in 1958 with a Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering. “The little scooter from Clintonville” played football for four years at Michigan Tech earning multiple awards including Most Valuable Player, All Conference, Honorable Mention All-Michigan and Co-Captain and Captain multiple years. In 2018 Jim was inducted into the Michigan Tech Sports Hall of Fame.

Jim started his successful career in the construction industry working for Chicago Bridge and Iron and several other firms before his long and storied career with Oscar J. Boldt Company out of Appleton, WI. Jim worked for the Boldt Company from 1964 to 1982 and was the Project Manager for many large projects throughout the midwest and Appleton including two Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL) buildings, the Appleton YMCA and Gimbel’s Department Store to name a few. He went on to run the International Division for Boldt spending time in Saudi Arabia and Mexico as well. In 1982 Jim went to work for Harrison Western managing the construction of the Tyee Hydroelectric Facility supplying power to St. Petersburg and Wrangell, AK through a “lake tap” shaft and over a mile long power tunnel. He also spent time in Fairbanks, AK and Crested Butte CO. In 1985 Jim was in charge of the reconstruction of the spillways and intake for the Hoover Dam in Las Vegas, NV.

Jim became a pilot, taught himself Spanish, volunteered for his community by coaching youth basketball and assisting small businesses throughout the years. Jim’s retirement was filled with raising horses, trail riding, reading, and enjoying ranch life. Jim could be found on the weekends attending Air Force football and basketball games and he was passionate about the Green Bay Packers and the Wisconsin Badgers. Jim’s competitive spirit never left him and he loved any challenge placed before him.

Jim is survived by his beautiful wife Jollene, his four children Jon Peters of Suring, WI, Jodi Maley and husband Pat of Austin, TX, Jefferson Peters and wife Kim (nee Rusch) of Phoenix, AZ, and Jayme Kuntzelman and husband Kurt of Albuquerque, NM; grandchildren Hanna Ward (nee Maley) and husband Chris, JP Maley and wife Stephanie (nee Eggertson), Henry Kuntzelman, Mattie Kuntzelman, McKenzie Marucci (nee Peters) and husband Joe, Dakota Peters; great-grandchildren Morrison Ward, Hutchins Ward and Jay Maley.

Jim will be interned in Clintonville, WI and a Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

Jim has ridden into his last sunset, but what a ride it’s been.