James “Jim” F. Wollberg, Sr.

James “Jim” F. Wollberg, Sr. entered into eternal rest on Friday, November 27, 2020 at his home. Loving husband of the late Rosemary Wollberg (nee Donaldson); Jim was born on May 3, 1929 to the late Robert F. and Josephine (McMahon) Wollberg in St. Louis, MO.

He is survived by his children; James Wollberg Jr, Steven (Donna) Wollberg, Thomas (Peggy) Wollberg, Janice (Joe) McGregor, Kathleen (Jim) Patterson, Teresa (Drew) Johnson and Laura (Don) Winter. He also leaves behind 21 grandchildren, including his full-time caregiver Beth Hunciker, 40 great-grandchildren, one brother-in-law, Gerald (Beverly) Donaldson, and his beloved dog, Mini. He was preceded in death by one grandson, Jacob Winter and 2 brothers; Robert and Paul Wollberg.

Jim’s father passed away when he was just a toddler, so he and his 2 older brothers spent their early years between their home in St. Louis and relatives’ homes in Effingham, IL. Jim was an industrious boy from early on. He found work around his old north St. Louis neighborhood from the time he was 8 years old; odd jobs such as stitching covers on Rawlings baseballs, and carrying coal for the families in the flat he lived in.

 He dearly loved his mother and always made it his priority to provide for and care for her. He graduated from Ranken Technical School as a carpenter. He had a natural talent for woodworking, and this became his livelihood and hobby. He was a master at his craft and was greatly respected for his work.

He enlisted in the Army in 1951 and served honorably in the Korean War. Upon his return to the States, he looked up a beautiful girl he once dated. Jim married Rosemary (Donaldson) in 1953 and they raised 7 children together. They originally settled in St. Louis but moved to West Alton, MO in 1967. Jim built his home from the ground up and it became the place to be for the Wollbergs as his family grew and grew. There he built a workshop and his own successful business. He was a longtime member of the former Immaculate Conception Church of West Alton. After the 1993 flood, Jim retired, and he and Rosemary moved to higher ground in Illinois.

Jim said good-bye to the love of his life on December 3, 2019. They had been married 66 years. Because of the dedication of his family and his strong, independent spirit, he has been able to live out his days in his home, surrounded by those he loved so much. He turned his God-given talents with carpentry into a daily hobby and continued creating and sharing his works. He was eager to share the hundreds of small wooden crosses with everyone who touched his life. Jim and Rosemary devoted their life together to their family, which grew to include 7 children, 21 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren. This year, he was excited to find out that another great-grandchild is expected in the spring of 2021.

Jim was a strong, no-nonsense, practical man with a great sense of humor. He put his family first above all. He often said he really didn’t know what a dad should be or do since he grew up without one. His legacy tells us that he figured it out.

 Memorials may be made in James name to Gary Sinise Foundation.




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