James H. Homme, 85, of Altoona, WI, died Wednesday, September 2, 2015, at his residence under the care of Mayo Clinic Health System-Home, Health & Hospice. James was born on February 12, 1930, in Franklin, Minnesota. He was baptized into Christ on March 14, 1930. He grew up in Kerkhoven, Minnesota, where he attended grade school and high school. He attended St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota, and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1952. James was drafted into the U.S. Army for 2 years when employed as an executive trainee at Montgomery Ward in Minneapolis. While in the army, James was in combat and a forward observer for a year in the Korean War. James entered Luther Theological Seminary in 1957 and graduated in 1960. He was ordained by the Rev. Kent Knutson at Zion Lutheran Church in Spicer, Minnesota. Pastor Homme has served as a pastor at the following congregations: Immanuel Lutheran, Viroqua, Wisconsin, 1960-1963; Christ the King, Port Washington, Wisconsin (new congregation started and served as first pastor), 1963-1967; Ascension Lutheran, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1967-1979; First Lutheran Church, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, 1979-1993 and Our Saviors Lutheran in Chippewa Falls, WI. Rev. Homme served on many boards in Milwaukee such as Central Y.M.C.A, LaFarge Life Long Learning Institute, Day Care Services for Children, Next Door Foundation and Lutheran Social Service to name a few. Pastor Homme's many accomplishments in Eau Claire included establishing or serving on boards or committees that included Feed My People, Northwest Synod School of Lay Ministry, United Way and University Lutheran Church. Pastor Homme served as a Board of Regents for St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. Rev. Homme is survived by his wife, Karen; two children, Nan (Jonathan) Yurkanis of Seattle, Washington, and Joel (Kelly) Homme of Austin Texas; three step-children, David Sessions, Tracy Sessions and Daniel (Michelle) Session; three grandchildren, Blake, Elizabeth and Joshua Sessions; and father-in-law, Eugene E. Kaiser. Rev. Homme was preceded in death in 2007 by his wife, Audrey Farness of 56 years; parents, Gjermund and Mathilda Homme; brother, Halvor Homme; and two sisters, Genieve Jacobson and Charlotte Varno. Order of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2015, at Grace Lutheran Church, 202 W. Grand Ave. in Eau Claire, with Pastor Dean Simpson officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, September 8, 2015, at Grace Lutheran Church and again from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Inurnment will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Eau Claire. Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral & Cremation Services is serving his family.

Service Information

Cemetery

Lakeview Cemetery 1500 Buffington Drive Eau Claire WI 54703

Visitation

Tuesday, September 8 2015 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Grace Lutheran Church 202 W. Grand Ave. Eau Claire WI

Visitation

Wednesday, September 9 2015 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Grace Lutheran Church 202 W. Grand Ave. Eau Claire WI

Memorial Service

Wednesday, September 9 2015 11:00 AM

Grace Lutheran Church 202 W. Grand Ave. Eau Claire WI