Obituaries

James “Jim” F. Reiter, 81, of Eau Claire passed away on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at his home.

Jim was born on December 17, 1941, to Eugene and Laura (Mahr) Reiter in Chippewa Falls, WI. Jim went to grade school and McDonnell High School in Chippewa Falls and attended UW-Eau Claire as a freshman. He was in the Air Force from 1961-1965 as a jet mechanic. Then he worked for EC Chmel as a dental lab technician in Eau Claire, WI. He married Judy Krueger, and they had two daughters, Jill and Suzanne. Jim and Judy were married for 14 years, until their divorce. Then in 1982, he met and welcomed Bonnie Spallees and Jason into his life. Jim and Bonnie were married in 1983 and resided in Eau Claire, WI, with Jim adopting Jason shortly after that. Jim and Bonnie remained married until his death, 40 ½ years later. Jim’s daughters moved to other distant states, so Jim was not able to see much of them. Jim’s hobbies included antique cars and weightlifting for most of his adult life. He attended many car shows throughout the years and even had a few antique cars of his own. Jim and Bonnie took in Foreign Exchange students from both high school and college age, later counseling other families in the exchange program. They were involved in that program for over 10 years, becoming friends with the students and their parents for years to come. In 1990, Jim, Bonnie, and Jason went with Bonnie’s parents to visit one of the students who lived in Spain. Jim and Bonnie did a lot of traveling during their marriage. Jim and Bonnie moved to Minnesota in 1997, where Jim worked for Udell Dental Laboratory until his retirement. In 2013, Jim, Bonnie and Jason moved to Fort Worth, TX. Jim enjoyed his visits to see his daughter Suzanne, son-in-law David and two grandchildren, Cheyenne and Daniel while in Texas. Jason moved back to Eau Claire a year or so later, and Jim and Bonnie returned to Eau Claire to be with family in 2019/2020. Jim’s faith had grown tremendously, especially while in Texas. It is that faith that helped him through his year and a half battle with cancer in the end. Jim was known as a giver, helping needy people through the years.

Jim is survived by his wife, Bonnie Reiter of Eau Claire; son, Jason Reiter; daughters, Suzanne (David) Buckley and Jill Reiter; grandchildren, Cheyenne and Daniel Buckley; a sister, Laura Jean Solberg; and four brothers: Robert (Eve) Reiter; Tom (Raquel) Reiter; John (Jeannie) Reiter; and Fred (Arlene) Reiter, along with several nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by both parents and a brother, Roger Reiter.

The family would like to thank St. Croix Hospice for all the prompt and quality assistance they provided. We are grateful.

A visitation will be Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 10:00 am at Smith Funeral Chapel. Military Honors will be performed by American Legion Post 53 at 11:00 am outside the funeral home. A memorial service will follow immediately after Military Honors with Pastor Russ Atter officiating. A light lunch follows the service at the funeral home for family and friends.