James R. Mode

James “Jim” Mode, 84, of Fort Atkinson, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

Jim was born on January 12, 1942 to Orrin Albert Mode and Margaret “Peggy” Stella (Fischer) Mode in Watertown. He and his younger sister Diane grew up on the family dairy farm outside Fort Atkinson. Jim signed up to join the Army National Guard before graduating from Fort Atkinson High School. He completed his service as an Infantry Sergeant E-5 with Expert Qualifications in the M1 Rifle and .45 Pistol. Jim went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Dairy Science. He had a brief career in farm credit before his heart led him back to the fifth-generation family dairy farm.

Jim met Georgia Knox in high school and they married in 1964. During their 60 years of marriage, they had two children, Gregory and Gina, and two grandchildren, Geoffrey and Stephenie. Jim was an amazing Dad - farm chores were interrupted with occasional water ballon fights, snow fort building, and bacon cheeseburgers and chocolate malts at Badger Lunch. He was an expert at hiding Easter eggs (he replaced a lightbulb with an egg one year) and could be quite the practical joker.

Jim is survived by his son Greg (Tina Bothum), daughter Gina (John Galvin), two grandchildren, sister Diane (Ed) Corcoran, brothers-in-law David (Dedi) Knox, Randy (Denise Derry) Knox, and Brian (Terrie) Knox, and eleven cousins. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Georgia, his parents, in-laws William “Bill” and Jane Knox, and uncles Ray (Mary) Fischer, Robert (Helen) Fischer, and John (Joan) Fischer. 

Jim will be remembered for his dedication to family, neighbors, and community, and his love of animals - his dairy cows were all named, with the favorites nicknamed besides, and we suspect the migration patterns of many birds have changed to make a stop at his abundant bird feeders. Jim spent his retirement giving back to his community by serving on the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors, Town of Jefferson Board, Badger Bank Board of Directors, Helenville Mutual Insurance Company Board of Directors, volunteering at the local food pantry and Jefferson County Fair, etc. He also enjoyed gardening, reading, and spending time with family and friends. We’re grateful to the friends and neighbors who helped Jim the last few years. He will be dearly missed.

Services will be held on Saturday, March 28 at 11 am with visitation at 9:30 am at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 302 Merchants Avenue, Fort Atkinson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church or the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Jeff McGuire, Fort Memorial Hospital, Alden Estates of Jefferson, and especially family friend Njari Crosby for all the time and care spent with Jim.

Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson is assisting the family.

www.DunlapMemorialHome.com