James, Tonnia L.

Tonnia L. James of Saukville, Wis., formerly of Cedar Rapids, passed away at the age of 43 Sunday evening, Aug. 23, 2009, after battling an antibiotic-resistant lung disease that left her in need of a double lung replacement. During her last days at home, she had been surrounded with her loving family.

Tonnia was born on April 20, 1966, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Ronald E. and Laura L. Schmeider Goltz. She grew up in the Iowa City/Amana area. She attended and graduated from the University of Iowa. On Feb. 8, 1997, she was united in marriage with Michael F. James in Elizabeth, Ill. The couple moved to Saukville, Wis., shortly afterward.

Tonnia had been employed as a recruiter or “headhunter” with Baker Tilly in Milwaukee, Wis., for the last nine years. She was also an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grafton, Wis., participating in the Board of Parish Education and the Board of evangelism. An avid NASCAR fan, she and her family attended three or four races a year while she was still able. Her love of racing helped influence her son, Joshua, who became active in racing himself. She supported her son in his sport, spending many weekends at the racetrack. Later, she set up a Sunday school at the racetrack, naming it KARTC (Kids Are Reaching Toward Christ) Ministries. In her quiet time at home, Tonnia enjoyed gardening and bird watching.

Tonnia is survived by her loving husband, Michael James of Saukville; their son Joshua, also of Saukville; stepchildren, Tyler of Thorton, Colo., Jason (Jena), Allison and Stephen, all of Janesville, Wis.; her parents, Laura (Steve) Rosenberger and Ronald Goltz, both of Amana; and parents-in-law, Jimmy and Bettie James of Plattsburg, Mo.

She is also survived by a brother, Jereme Goltz of Cedar Rapids; two sisters, Brittany (Todd) Weiss, also of Cedar Rapids, and Abby Goltz of Waterloo; three brothers-in-law, Erick (Lisa) James, Billy James, all of Plattsburg, Mo., and Goebel (Sherry) James of Edgerton, Mo.; nieces, nephews, other relatives, co-workers and many friends.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. today at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 701 Washington St., Grafton, Wis. The Rev. Chris Navurskis will officiate. Tonnia will be laid to rest in St. Paul Cemetery, Grafton. The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 p.m. today at the church.

Memorial trusts for the education of Joshua and Tyler James are being set up at the Farmers Savings Bank in Amana. The Eernisse Funeral Home in Port Washington, Wis., is assisting the family with arrangements.

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