James Giesen

James Donald Hauk Giesen, 26, of Lancaster, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of his life, Megan, and his loving family, on Monday, May 6, 2019 at UW-Hospital, Madison, due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at St. Clement Catholic Church in Lancaster. Father Greg Ihm and Father William Vernon will officiate. Pastor Mark Hoehne will participate. Burial will be at St. Clement Cemetery, where military rites will be accorded. Friends may call from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 10, 2019 at St. Clement Catholic Church, where there will be a parish rosary 3:45 p.m.  Friends may also call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday.  The Melby Funeral Home & Crematory of Platteville is serving the family. Memorials may be made to the James D. Giesen Memorial Fund.  Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com.

James was born on January 6, 1993 in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, the son of James and Marianne (Hauk) Giesen. James attended St. Clement Catholic School through 6^th grade and graduated in 2011
from Lancaster Sr. High School. During high school James especially loved playing soccer, running the 110 M High Hurdles, and helping Mr. Jonas build stage sets for the high school plays.

From a young age, James had a strong desire to protect and help others and it was no surprise that on May 14, 2012 he entered the United States Marine Corps. He served as an Antitank Missileman with the 2^nd Battalion, 4^th Marine, 1^st Marine Division, stationed at Camp Pendleton, California. While stationed at Camp Pendleton, he was a part of two Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) deployments where his unit traveled in the Pacific to Australia, Okinawa, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. James was honorably discharged in May 2016. After returning home he attended Southwest Technical College graduating in May of 2018 with an associate degree in Electro-Mechanical Technology.

James worked for Myers Mechanical Solutions in Lancaster and quickly became a valued employee, traveling around Wisconsin working on numerous projects, most recently as a Field Supervisor. James was intelligent, mechanically minded, hard working, and well respected by those who worked with him. James loved being a big brother, hunting, shooting, riding his motorcycle, being on the family farm, contemplating life on his Grandma's back porch, going to the gym, and his "artwork". James also had an eclectic taste in music that he loved to share with others. He especially loved time spent with family and friends but most of all, time spent with Megan and Laken ("Little One" as he affectionately called her), standing by them and being there for them always. James was highly regarded by all who knew him and was a man that lived his life by a set of standards and stood by them. He was a loving son, brother, partner, and "stepdad". James held a special place in his heart for others who served in the military and was always willing to listen to or help a friend in need.

He is survived by his loving parents, James and Marianne Giesen; brother, John Giesen; the love of his life, Megan Hamilton and her daughter, Laken Schildgen; grandmother, Darlene Giesen; aunts and uncles, Sheri and Raymond Ihm, Dennis and Pamela Clauer, Don Giesen and Barb Laundrie, Dennis and Peg Freymiller, and Deborah Giesen; and many loving cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Chester and LaVon Hauk; paternal grandfather, Donald Giesen; uncle, Robert Havlik; and first cousins, Stephanie Giesen and Tilah Page.

The family would like to thank all those who stopped by the hospital over the weekend, as well as, all those who sent condolences, or traveled far and wide to be with us today to honor the life of our James. It is such an incredible blessing to us to know the impact he had on so many people.