James “Jim” Patrick Greiner

1935-2025

James “Jim” Patrick Greiner, 89, of Medford, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at Vita Care, surrounded by his loving family and under the care of St. Croix Hospice. A visitation and celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Hemer-Pickerign Funeral Home. Memories will be shared at 1 p.m. He will be laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery II.

Jim was born on June 11, 1935, in Marshfield, to Arthur J. and Edwarda (Phillips) Greiner. He grew up in the village of Stetsonville, where neighbors also knew him as “Pat.” As a boy, he spent countless summer days fishing on Lake Nokomis at the family’s cabin in Tomahawk. Independent from an early age, Jim often stayed at the cabin on his own during the week, with his parents and siblings joining him on weekends.

He graduated from Medford Senior High School on May 18, 1953, and went on to serve in the United States Army, stationed in St. Bonifacius, Minn. After his service, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Recreational Property from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire on Aug. 2, 1963.

On Aug. 10, 1963, Jim married Elaine Ruesch at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Stetsonville. Together, they built a life filled with love, family, and purpose.

Jim followed in the footsteps of his father, Arthur, and began a career in banking at Stetsonville State Bank, where he worked for several years. He also had a lifelong passion for real estate, eventually founding Jim Greiner Realty. Clients were drawn to his honesty, his deep roots in the community, and his genuine desire to help others.

Jim had many interests — fly fishing, gardening, woodworking, and time spent in the woods were among his favorites. He could filet a fish with the best of them, and his family enjoyed more meals of freshly caught crappies and bluegills than they can count. He also kept bees, made maple syrup, and harvested bushels of garlic and produce each year — always with quiet satisfaction and a love for working with his hands.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Elaine; and their four children, Pam (Jeff) Peterson of Medford, Larisa (Philip) Manger of Stillwater, Minn., Patty Greiner (Doug Beilfuss) of Madison, and Marjorie (Lt. Col. Ret. Charles) Olsen of Richfield. Jim was a devoted grandfather to Haley Peterson, Adam (Markki) Peterson, Charlotte Olsen, Dane Olsen, and Abigail Manger.

He is also survived by his brother, Paul Greiner (Diana); his brothers-in-law, Jon Ruesch (Clea) and Chuck Strebig; his sister-in-law, Marjorie Julius; and many cherished nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Edwarda Greiner; his sister, Rosemary Sabiljak, and her husband, Ed; his brother, John Greiner, and his wife, Rose; his in-laws, Al and Margaret Ruesch; his brother-in-law, Wyman Julius; and his sister-in-law, Norma Jean Strebig.

Jim will be remembered for his quiet strength, his devotion to family, and the deep joy he found in life’s simple pleasures.

Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford is serving the family. Please visit www. hemerfuneralservice.com to share condolences online.

Paid Obituary 168806