Obituary of James Edward Coughlin

James Edward Coughlin 80, of Solon Springs died on Monday Jan. 19, 2015 at St. Mary's Hospital in Duluth. Jim was born on May 1, 1934 to the late Lester and Eleanor (Reinardy) Coughlin in Burlington Wis. He served in the Korean War as a tank commander for the U.S. Marine Corps. He was united in marriage to Louann Larson on Oct. 8, 1960. Jim moved to Solon Springs in 1967 and worked as a crane operator for Lunda Construction Company for 30+ years where one of his proudest accomplishments was working on the Bong Bridge connecting Duluth, to Superior, Wis. He was a proud member of Local 139 Operators Union for 58 years. Jim was an active member of the St. Pius Catholic Church in Solon Springs. Jim always enjoyed hunting, fishing and watching the Green Bay Packers. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Bonnie (Drozdowicz). He is survived by his his brother Paul (Margie) Coughlin Burlington, Wis.; sister Margie Martin Burlington, Wis.; ex-wife Louann (Ralph) O'Brien of Center City, Minn.; son Patrick of Poplar, Wis.; grandchildren Amber (Mike) Hebel, Jake, Preston; great-granddaughter Mikendra; son Michael (Lisa) of Broomfield, Colo.; grandsons Jacob (Rebecca), Austin; great-grandson Ezekiel; daughter Kellie (Alan) Steinmetz of Osceola, Wis.; granddaughters Miranda and Nicole; son Paul (Stef) of Barnum, Minn.; grandsons Devin, Hunter, Garrett and Brady. VISITATION: 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. Mass on Wednesday Jan. 28, in St. Pius Church in Solon Springs Wis., and will be officiated by Father James Kinney. A luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund for his grandchildren will be set up. Donations to the memorial fund can be sent to P.O. Box 263, Solon Springs WI 54873.