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James Rielly
1941 - 2017
James Rielly

James P. Rielly, age 75 of Darlington, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, at Memorial Hospital in Darlington, after a short illness.  He was born on March 29, 1941, in Dodgeville, the son of James M. “Tiger” and Kathryn (Leahy) Rielly.  Jim graduated from Darlington in 1958.  He was united in marriage to Susan “Sue” Parmenter on May 22, 1965, in La Crosse.  Jim lived in Darlington his whole life on the family farm.  He started with 18 cows and worked up to 600 head with his family.  Jim spent his entire life devoted to the family farm, which he took great pride in, but he always claimed his greatest accomplishment was marrying Sue.
Jim is survived by his wife: Sue at home; five children: Kevin (Stacie Christensen) Rielly of Monroe, Keith (Kim) Rielly of Monroe, Mark (Carmen) Rielly of Darlington, Kathy Rielly (Vance Stanton) of Darlington, and Julia Rielly (Randy Liddicoat) of Darlington; thirteen grandchildren: Erin, Casey Jane, Brian, and Patrick Rielly; Abby, TJ, and Hayley Rielly; Gunnar, Grady, and Emma Rielly; Nick Casales; and Axton and Stella Liddicoat; one brother: Dick (Patti) Rielly of Oregon; five sisters: Shirley (Paul) Leu of Darlington, Jean Riley of Mineral Point, Rita (Jack) White of Darlington, Midge Cutler of Linden, and Connie (Lewie) Burmeister of Delavan; one sister-in-law: Mary Ellen (Rielly) Jacobson of Darlington.  He was preceded in death by his parents, infant son Jeffrey James, brother Thom, and brothers-in-law Loren Riley and Gerry Cutler.
Jim was a lifetime member of the Fayette Sportsman Club.  He was also a member of many misfit card clubs of which he enjoyed.  Jim cherished fishing trips to Canada with his children and grandchildren every year along with pheasant hunting in South Dakota with his family and friends.  He was a proud family man and loved attending the sporting events of his children and grandchildren.  In addition, Jim never passed up a chance to support Sue’s gambling habit.  James P. will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by his family and friends.
A private family Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017, at Holy Rosary Church, a branch of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, with Father John Bosco Pudhota officiating.  A visitation was held Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church.  The Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.
A celebration of life will be held later in the summer of 2017 at the family farm.