James Lee Wilder
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From July 25, 1939 to September 20, 2007
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This Summer Kitchen is dedicated to Jim, who was tragically killed on September 20, 2007. Jim was the Deutsch Country Days "Volunteer of the Year for 2006." He had volunteered a total of one thousand eighty-four (1084) hours to the reconstruction of "his" Summer Kitchen, as well as many of the Osage Native American structures, the Wash Haus and the Smoke Haus.
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Miraculously, Jim's devoted wife, Jean, has survived the accident, and is recuperating from a broken arm, a severed vertebrae, scrapes, bruises and stitches. Jean is indeed lucky to be alive. Tim Wilder, Jim and Jean's only son, and his family are now dedicated volunteers at the event, due to the influence of their "persuasive" Papa. Tim is the Sheriff of Luxenhaus Farm. Look for him at the event--you can't miss him at the General Mercantile and walking the grounds.
Jim's granddaughter and her friends will be keeping the Summer Kitchen open as Jim would have desired. He taught them everything he knew, which in Jim's case, was almost impossible as he had been open hearth cooking for over thirty years.
We who knew and loved Jim shall never forget the time, energy and enthusiasm devoted to Luxenhaus Farm and to Deutsch Country Days by James Lee Wilder, Leslie, MO.
Jim was not only a dedicated volunteer, but, a dear friend to anyone who had the fortune to meet him. He shall be sorely missed.