James Wilfred "Jim" Mader

James Wilfred Mader, 89, died Sunday, November 17, 2013, at his home in Hoxie, KS. He was born December 7, 1923, in Salina, KS. He married Wilma (Simon) on June 2, 1945. He was a farmer and rancher. Jim was raised by his Grandparents, Michael and Mary Mader, on their farm North of Grainfield. His boyhood years were filled with farming, fishing, hunting and trapping while spending his summer months with his parents, Monica and Otto Robben; and his many brothers and sisters. Jim was in the cattle business for a continuous 76 plus years. This venture all started with an orphan calf that he earned for wages when he was only 13 years old. At 21 years old, he bought his first registered Hereford cow. This breed became the passion of his ranching career which he thoroughly enjoyed up until his last days. Jim served as a Director for the Kansas Hereford Association, honored as Kansas Hereford Breeder of the Year and was recognized by the National Hereford Association as a 50 year Hereford Breeder. Also at a young age, Jim discovered his passion for horses and developed his own techniques for training and breaking them for his neighbors. After Jim and Wilma were married, they made their first home on a farm south of Grainfield. During those 9 years, they welcomed into their family Jimmy, Ronny, Cindy, Terry and Judy. In the post war era, in addition to farming, Jim raised cattle, chickens, hogs, and supported many local churches with electrician work. Their cattle herd and farm operations expanded as did their family. Moving to a farm South of Jennings, the births of Randy, Shelley and Tracy completed their family. Jim served as a 4-H Leader for over 25 years and on the Sheridan County Fair Board for over 30 years. As their children started school, the entire family became active in the local 4-H program by showing the family’s award winning steers. This became a tradition in the Jim and Wilma Mader family as some of their grandchildren are now raising and showing cattle in their local clubs. Nothing made Jim prouder than to share this part of his life with his family and friends. He took great pleasure in helping young people develop their skills in raising and showing livestock as their 4-H Leader. Jim and Wilma celebrated 68 1/2 years of marriage. He is survived by his wife, Wilma; five sons, Jim Jr., Kansas City; Ron and wife, Lorraine, Burlington, CO; Terry and wife, Kay, Gretna, Nebraska; Randy and wife, Linda, Hays; Tracy and wife, Stacey, Maple Grove, MN; 3 daughters, Cindy Crabtree and husband, Larry, Lenexa; Judy Welter and husband, Mike, Paola; and Shelley Shaw and husband, Mark, Logan; 18 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; brothers Joe, Delbert, Pat and Ron Robben; sisters, Anita Bril, June Carroll, Sylvia Helus, Glennis Hickman and Nyleen Henry; brother-in-law, Edwin Simon and sister-in-law, Winifred McCullough. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, and four sisters. Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, November 20, 2013, at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, Hoxie; burial in the Hoxie City Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, November 19, 2013, from 1:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m., with a family held service at 7 p.m. all at Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, Hoxie. Memorials are suggested in lieu of flowers to the Sheridan County Fair Board or the Hospices Services of Phillipsburg and may be sent in care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, KS 67740. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com Reception: St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church