James “Jim” E. Duda

He was born Sept. 5, 1947, in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., son of the late Edward and Theresa (Polum) Duda. He attended the St. Phillips School of Rudolph, Wis., and graduated from Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids in 1965.

He served in the U.S. Army for two years, working as a clerical clerk and worked evenings as a bartender at an officer’s club. While serving in the Army, he had an opportunity to tour Europe with some fellow servicemen. This is where he got the nickname of “Zippidy.” Upon returning home, he attended a year of business school in Stevens Point, Wis.

James married Dallas Aron of Wisconsin Rapids on Aug. 22, 1970, at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Wisconsin Rapids. The couple recently celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary. Together they started in the food business as owners of the T&T Supper Club of Iron River in 1972.

In 1989, they moved their business down the street and remodeled the current Zippidy Duda Restaurant.

Jim was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church in Iron River. He was former member the Iron River Elks Lodge 1671 and a past president of Camp Gibbs. Jim loved the sport of archery and won numerous awards and taught archery to students ranging from age five to 80. He also loved going to his camp at Winslow Lake with his loving dog of 17 years, Rusty. And he enjoyed playing cribbage and giving Ron Sykora “lessons” and using his beloved tractor.

Jim was very much involved with the community, from working with the UP Rodeo to city-wide events. He won an award for Conservationist of the Year that was presented to him by his granddaughter, Seantel.

For years he worked hard with his co-chairpersons, Gregg and Sheree Stebbins to help preserve Camp Gibbs.

Jim is survived by his wife, Dallas; son, Chad Duda of Iron River; granddaughters, Seantel Duda of Kingsford and Danielle Frymark of Milwaukee; sister, Lynette (Dennis) Hartjes of Rudolph; and by many extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Michelle Duda.

Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28 at the Jacobs Funeral Home in Iron River.

Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church, with Rev. Gregory Veneklase to offer the Mass of Christian Burial.

The West Side Veterans will accord Military Rites after the service.

Interment will be in Resthaven Cemetery in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations may be made to the Iron County Cancer Unit, the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center and/or to the Iron County West Side Veterans Council.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of James “Jim” E. Duda online at www.jacobsfuneralhomeir.com.

Funeral arrangements by the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River.