James Edward “Jim” Hrouda, the son of Edward and Germaine (Schmidt) Hrouda was born on February 24, 1957 in Rice Lake, Wisconsin.  He died at the age of 57 years on Thursday, February 5, 2015 surrounded by his children at his home in Balta, North Dakota.

Jim was raised in the home of his parents at the family homestead in rural Haugen, Wisconsin.  He attended school at Rice Lake graduating high school there in 1975.  He learned at a young age that he enjoyed agriculture and working with farm equipment.  He worked as a farm laborer for the Spooner Agricultural Station in Spooner for a number of years.  He retired early as a result of a back injury.  In 1994, his family bought a hobby farm near Spooner, WI.  With his creative talents, he remodeled the farmhouse making a beautiful home for his family.  He excelled at carpentry, remodeling and could fix just about anything.  Their farm was self containing, needing only to go to the store for milk.  They raised farm animals and grew vegetables in their garden.  He loved hunting and as his kids grew up he enjoyed taking them with and teaching them.  He was proud when the animals his girls raised would win prizes at the fair.  That taught them their hard work paid off.  He loved nature, had an amazing green thumb and enjoyed sharing his knowledge.  One year he joined friends on their annual hunting trip to the Balta, North Dakota area.  He enjoyed the area so much that he decided to make Balta his home in 2006.  He was an avid hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman.  But above all, he loved gardening and sharing its harvest with friends.

Jim is survived by his children, Aaron (Kandi) Starkey of Fort Atkinson, WI, Jessica (Aaron) Rutske of Menomonie, WI, Sarah (Fernando) Hrouda of California and Elizabeth (Matthew) Wilson of Rozet, WY; grandchildren, Harper Starkey, Hailey, Emily, Lily and Lexi Rutske; his mother, Germaine (Sherman) Paulson; sisters, Marilyn Zimmerman of Sarona, WI, Linda (Ivan) Stodola of Haugen, WI and Lisa Wellvang of Rice Lake, WI; a brother, Thomas (Stacey Hawks) Hrouda of Roseburg, OR; nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by an uncle, George Hrouda and his father Edward Hrouda.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 12^th at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Haugen, WI.  Rev. James Powers, officiating.

Friends may greet the family, share memories and celebrate Jim’s life from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 at the Balta Bar in Balta, North Dakota.