James “Tucker” R. Weissenberger, 60, of Sparta passed away Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011, at his home.

Tucker was born May 25, 1950, in La Crosse to Robert and Genevieve (Hogden) Weissenberger. He was employed by BNSF Railroad for 30 years. Tucker was a member of the West Salem Volunteer Fire Department and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in West Salem.

He was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing and hunting. Tucker enjoyed sitting on his John Deere tractor or lawn mower doing yard work and smoking cigars. He was very fond of his dog, “Josey Wales“. In his younger years, he would break horses. Tucker loved his rural home which he called his “piece of heaven” where he would sit on the front porch listening to the wind blow through the pine needles, enjoying the peacefulness and serenity of nature. He also enjoyed the ocean and listening to the waves.

Some of his favorite pastimes included listening to his music, playing cards with the boys, golfing, watching Clint Eastwood movies, and working on his Corvettes. Tucker had many memorable times with his wife, children, grandchildren, and friends, who were all very important to him. He was most proud of his grandchildren and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his wife of over 18 years, Amy (Hase); two children, Heather (Michael) Kolovos of Phoenix, Ariz. and Heath (Nicole) Weissenberger of West Salem; two grandchildren, Noah “Wally” and Karson “Talulah” Kolovos; his father, Robert “Bob” Weissenberger of La Crosse; three sisters, Sandy (Jack) Fahey of Brentwood, Tenn., Patty (Rick) Tollackson of Chaska, Minn., and Sherry Hicks of La Crosse; his sister-in-law, Paula (Michael “Yak“) Hase-Mickelson of North Bend, Wis.; and many nieces; nephews; aunts; uncles; cousins; and friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother; and an infant sister.

Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 359 N. Leonard St., West Salem. The Rev. J. David Bersagel will officiate. There will be no burial. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. at Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Home, (Jostad Chapel), 121 N. Youlon St., West Salem, on Friday. There will be no visitation on Saturday.