James Bedell

James Richard Bedell, 72, departed for his Heavenly home on March 5, 2017. Jim was born in Beloit, WI, to Goldie (Rundquist) and George F. Bedell. He earned his BS in Electrical Engineering from UW-Madison.

Jim met Gail Brook in Madison, and they married in 1967. They had two children: Vicki and Jimmy. After working several years for Control Data Corp in the Twin Cities, a new job at Cray Research brought Jim and the family to Chippewa Falls in 1977.

Jim passionately cheered for the Green Bay Packers, the New York Yankees, and the Chi Hi basketball teams. He also enjoyed playing church league softball, maintaining his swimming pool for the enjoyment of the neighborhood, helping his family with various building/electrical projects, compiling his genealogical records, and following politics. Some of Jim's fondest memories were spent with his family while vacationing in Maine. He was pleased to be a small-town "Chipwa" resident, proud to be an American, and grateful to be saved by God's grace.

Jim was loved and appreciated by many. He served the Chippewa Valley Bible Church AWANA program for 25 years. It was very important to Jim that the AWANA children have fun on his game circle each week after studying God's Word. Prior to his retirement in 1998, Jim took great pride in his work as a supercomputer logic design engineer at Cray. He always spoke highly of his coworkers and felt privileged to work amongst so many bright and driven men and women.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by Gail Brook Bedell of Boone, NC; daughter, Victoria (Matthew) Larkowski of Elk Mound, WI; son, James (Jennifer) Bedell of Champlin, MN; big brother, G. Thomas (Patricia) Bedell of Coon Rapids, MN; twin brother, Steven (Sharon) Bedell of Menomonee Falls, WI; one grandson, Bret Bedell; two great-grandchildren, Arianna and Cody; and several nephews, nieces, and cousins.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, March 9 at Chippewa Valley Bible Church with Pastor Jim Woldhuis officiating. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls, WI.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Wednesday, March 8 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls and one hour prior to the service Thursday at church.

Please share memories and condolences at http://Jim-Bedell.virtual-memorials.com.

When asked by his children how they could repay him for his generosity through the years, Jim replied, "Help others the way you have been helped." So, in lieu of flowers, please consider "paying it forward" with a simple act of kindness or by donating to your favorite ministry.