James R. Klemm, 70, a longtime resident of Green Bay, died peacefully Tuesday, June 19, 2012, surrounded by family and friends, after a hard-fought battle with heart disease. He was born Aug. 3, 1941, in Birnamwood, Wis., to Ruby (Johnson) and Carl J. Klemm. Jim and his brother had an idyllic childhood playing in the woods, building a shack, damming a creek, and riding the pigs. His mom was a great homemaker and Jim's dad was a hard worker who founded Klemm Tank Lines. As Jim grew up, he loved fast cars and trucks so he delivered pizza for Danny's in De Pere. He graduated from West De Pere High School in 1959, and then attended "Cardboard Tech" or UWGB on Baird St. near Old Packer Stadium. For a short time, he drove dump truck for Red Peters and then found his place with Klemm Tank Lines.

Jim married Nancy Keidatz on Feb. 24, 1961, at Hope Lutheran Church in De Pere. He had Wendy, Melissa, Jessie and Jimmy. Jim had a large circle of friends who all camped and traveled together. He was in the Army Reserve from 1960 to 1964. He also was the president of the West De Pere School Board and a longtime member of Kiwanis.

After Jim's divorce, he married Sandra Schmitt Mocco in Chicago in April of 1986. There was also a family celebration in August of the same year. He acquired three more daughters, Paula, Tina and Shawna.

Jim was quite a businessman. During his life he owned Highway Transport Service Javco-an environmental clean-up service, and Klemm Tank Lines. He was a member of the Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association. He became president of the Tank Lines in 1978 with 30 trucks. When Jim retired in 1999, the company was the largest carrier of petroleum products in the Midwest with over 200 drivers and 117 trucks.

Jim and Sandra had a very close and loving relationship and were surrounded by a large circle of family and friends. They spent time together at their home and condo in Ft. Myers Beach, Florida, looking at the sunsets and going on sippy-sails. They also spent time at their summer home in Wausaukee where Jim also "loved" fishing with Sandra. Jim and Sandy liked to go out and socialize too. They also liked entertaining at home, which usually involved a hot game of "Texas Holdem". Jim was known by his friends for his sense of humor and his large capacity for love. Another joy of Jim's was sitting in his big chair and watching Fox News.

Survivors include his wife, Sandra; his children and their spouses, Wendy Klemm Vorpahl, Jessie Klemm Werner, Jimmy and Christie Klemm, Tina and Darren Lutz, Shawna and Matt Ruff, his grandchildren, Jason Hendricks, Casey and Craig Wollard and their son, Wyatt, Zack Ehnerd, Sam Werner, Jake Werner, Ben Werner, Andrew Werner, Collin Klemm, Abby Klemm, Seamus Lutz, Anessa and Landen Coppens, Connley Ruff; a brother, C. John and Jan Klemm, nieces and nephews, David and Carli Klemm, Mike and Kerry Klemm, Tom and Monica Klemm, Chris and Annette Vanden Busch, Lisa and Kevin Schaut, Mike and Kay Kapp; a sister-in-law, Karen Kapp and her longtime friend, George Petropolis; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Gary and Sandy Vanden Busch.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Ruby Klemm; two daughters, Missy and Paula.

Friends may call at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1484 Ninth St., from 2 to 7 p.m. Friday. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at the church with the Rev. Richard Mauthe officiating. Blaney Funeral Home is assisting the family. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.

The family was blessed with 22 extra months with Jim due to the left-ventricular device (LVAD) implanted at the Mayo Clinic.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established to benefit to LVAD and Leukemia Research. Jim's daughter, Missy succumbed to leukemia when she was four years of age.

Love and thanks to the doctors and staff of the Cardiac and LVAD Team of St. Mary's Hospital of the Mayo Clinic, especially Dr. Soon Park.