James J. Freis, 56, of Kiel, passed away Tuesday, July 2, 2024 peacefully at home with his loving wife by his side.  Jim was born July 3, 1967 to the late Dalhart "Dally" and Judith (Rosenthal) Freis.  He graduated from Kiel High School in 1985.  In 2009, he married the former Rhonda Winkler.  Jim started his career working with Fries Von Kiel.  He later started Freis Distributing in 1989 with his father.  He achieved his dream and continued to grow the company by buying and selling other food companies. Jim was proud to employ many local Kiel people who he was loyal to and they were very loyal to him.  Jim continued to own Freis Distributing until he sold the company and retired in 2016.

Jim loved going out to dinner with his wife, his cars (the faster the better) and all sports, especially UFC fights, as well as music. He also had eight German Shepherds in his life and loved them all.  He frequented many establishments in his home town of Kiel and had an endless number of stories about all the fun from the past with his friends.   Jim was known to never do anything in moderation.

He is survived by his wife, Rhonda; his stepchildren who he loved very much, Jerid (Patty) Winkler, Katie (Steve) Wyrobeck, Daniel Winkler and Tim (Tara) Schaefer; his step-grandchildren, Emily, AJ, Griffin, Hailyana, Urban, Zachary, Payten and Tayler; his sister, Tammy Freis and her son, Jory Rule.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Vicky.

Funeral services for Jim will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2024 at Meiselwitz-Vollstedt-DeTroye Funeral Home (815 6th Street, Kiel).  Visitation will be on Saturday, at the funeral home, from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m., when brief family rites will be held.  Interment will follow in the Kiel Belitz Cemetery.  Please visit www.meiselwitzfh.com to send online condolences.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in his name.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Sharon S. Richardson Hospice for all the care given to Jim.They would also like to thank his godmother, Sandy and friend, Mark Wagner for the companionship and comfort they provided.