James (Jim) Frank Lenius, 84, of Hartland, Wisconsin, passed into glory on November 4, 2026. He was born on June 14, 1942, in Granville, WI to Milton and Alfreida Lenius. James grew up in Sturgeon Bay, WI on the family dairy farm and went to the one room Waniger Schoolhouse. He graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School (1960). He earned his teaching certificate from Door-Kewaunee County Teachers College in Algoma. James graduated from UW-Stevens Point with his Bachelor’s degree, whereafter, he started teaching in Chilton, traveling in the summers to earn his Master’s degree at Northern Michigan University. He was a fourth grade teacher for most of his career, taking on the adventure of working for the US Department of State as a Headmaster at the International School of Yaoundé in Cameroon, Africa for 2 years before raising a family in Hartland.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Jean (Elliott) Lenius of Hartland, WI, cherished children, Janean Hanson (Brad) of Madison, NJ, Jeff (Rachel) of Menomonee Falls, WI, Jon (Angie) of Middleton, WI, Jenny Cummings (Chris) of Appleton, WI, 9 dearly loved grandchildren, Chase, Madison, Mitchell, William, Jonah, Tyler, Andrew, Jacob, and Caitlynn, his brother, Milton and sister-in-law, Karen of Sturgeon Bay, his sister, Jean Michaels of Wisconsin Rapids, his brother, Russell and sister-in-law, Eileen of Sturgeon Bay and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents, Milton and Alfreida (Suess) Lenius, parents-in-law, LeRoy and Ruth (Reese) Elliott, brother-in-law, Gordon Michaels, brother-in-law, David Elliott, niece, Patricia Lenius and nephew, Adam Schultz. James was a faithful and hardworking husband, dad and grandpa who loved his large family, friends, neighbors and students. He had a passion for traveling the USA with his family during summers, his favorite locations being Florida, Hawaii, Arizona and Tennessee. He loved spending time in Sturgeon Bay restoring his uncle’s farm, fixing things, planting and gardening, hunting, and riding his motorcycle. James will be dearly missed and is with God in His Glory to look down on us all.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at Forbes Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay. Relatives and friends may visit the family from 10:00 am on Saturday until the time of service. Burial will be in Pilgrim’s Rest Cemetery.
