James Prodger

James A. Prodger, 90, passed away January 6, 2014 at his home in Danbury, WI. “Big Jim” was born in Erie, PA on April 29, 1923 to Howard and Catherine Prodger. He grew up in St. Paul MN where he graduated from Cretin High School in 1941 and married Lucille “Lu” Bergman. He worked in the family house moving business until he went to Los Angeles to weld in the shipyards during WWII. Then he joined the Navy where he became a gunnery instructor onboard the USS Wyoming. After being honorably discharged in 1946, he returned to St. Paul and resumed work in the house moving business and was active in the American Legion, becoming post commander. In 1954, the family moved to Frederic where he and Lu joined with her sister Rosemary and husband William “Junior” Struck in building the Frederic Recreation Center which they owned and operated until 1980. He loved to tell the story of how Junior called him one day to consider building a roller rink which they all thought was a good idea. And, by the way Junior said, we might as well put some bowling lanes with it. Why? Well, we already have 60-some teams signed up! He also enjoyed hunting and fishing trips too numerous to count but each memorable, particularly when the families would travel in the old school bus he and Junior had converted into a camper. After “retiring”, Jim and Lu moved to Yellow Lake near Danbury from where they would head south in their travel trailer every autumn, eventually choosing the Phoenix area for their snowbirding, golfing and bingo excursions. He also taught himself to make custom wooden signs to the extent that there are an estimated 1500 from Arizona to Wisconsin to Tennessee to Maryland and on in to Canada. Jim is survived by his brother, Bob and wife Phyllis Prodger of New Brighton, MN; son, Jim and wife Gerry of Burnsville MN, son-in-law, Richard “Butch” Hacker of Frederic; grandchildren, Steve, Tim, Scott, Kim, Tom, Barbie, Debbie, and Ron; 11 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren and many MANY nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Catherine, wife Lu, and daughters Pat Skow and Sandy Hacker. A Celebration of Life will be held at Hacker's Lanes in Frederic WI on Saturday, March 1, 2014 from 1-4pm including a memorial service at 1:30. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Disabled American Veterans or local charities such as Inter Faith Caregivers of Burnett County at 7596 Hayden Lake Rd-Danbury, WI 54830.