James Louis Dickert

There is no doubt that Jim Dickert loved his family. Immensely proud of his three daughters, he would love to share their many successes with anyone who would listen! They were the apple of his eye! A loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many, he leaves behind a beautiful example of living life to the fullest and giving selflessly to the community he loved. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew and loved him.

Jim’s story begins in the midst of the 1930s when the nation was bouncing back from tough economic times. His parents, Anthony “Duke” and Mae (Nee: Carbonneau) Dickert welcomed his arrival on July 21, 1936, In Racine Wisconsin. Joining his older brother, Dave, they were later joined by their siblings; Maryann, Lee, Margie, Cathie, and Carole. Raised in a large family with traditional Catholic values, his birth brought joy and happiness into the family home.

As a young child, Jim lived a typical childhood of the times. He and his siblings enjoyed their fair share of mischief as well as attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School. Active members in their faith community, Jim held many fond memories of these years. Jim was always close to his family and was known for being the popular, Billy the Brownie, to his younger siblings at Christmas. A sign of his big heart at an early age, they remember him going to the local payphone at Sweetman’s Drugstore and calling the house pretending to be Billy the Brownie to the girls! They truly believed they were talking to one of Santa’s helpers from Schuster's Department Store! He later graduated with the Class of 1955 from St. Catherine’s High School and set off to Divine Word Seminary where he studied for six years before earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Marquette University.

Ambitious as well as driven, Jim landed at the City of Racine Park and Recreational Department after graduation. Always working to advance himself, he later launched his career as a Real Estate Professional for Bud Orth Agency and eventually founded Heritage Realty with two partners, serving as president. During his successful career, he was also president of Heritage Realty Development Corp, Heritage Builders, and a partner at Light House Title Corporation. Over the course of his career, Jim helped to establish a wide variety of community relationships and establishments.

A true visionary, a large majority of his work touched the lives of those in his community. He was critical in the development of Heritage Heights, The Shores, and Jamestown residential developments as well as many others. Over three decades ago, Jim saw a need for an event showcasing the housing industry. The result was the first Home Expo, now in its thirty-sixth year. His community engagements were vast over the years, some include; RAMAC, serving as a member of RUSD school board, Hammes Field creation committee, leading development efforts for the St. Catherine’s Alumni Center and instrumental in the creation of the Racine Community Outpost in 1993, a non-profit organization which supported the Community Oriented Policing, known as COP Houses today. Jim was raised by parents who believed in giving back to the community and wanted to memorialize their compassion and empathy to those in need, which led him to create a fund in their honor, the Duke and Mae Dickert Fund.

Not to be forgotten, however, was the meeting of his first wife, Patricia Dickert, the mother of his three wonderful daughters; Heidi, Heather, and Holly. Married in 1967, they shared many happy family memories during their child-rearing years and taught their children the same set of important life values they had growing up. An animal lover, the kids remember him raising a couple of rabbits from the Racine Zoo. Much to his surprise, a few short weeks later, the count went to twenty-four due to the bunnies being pregnant! Never one to be able to tell his daughters no, he allowed them to raise baby ducklings which resided in the kid’s clubhouse located in the City of Racine! There simply wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for his family.

Later, Jim married his second wife, Dixie Dickert in 1986. Dixie was patient at the wedding reception when guests decided to add an element of humor to the night when they decided to “roast” Jim. Her patience for his “unique” sense of humor should have Dixie in line for sainthood… The two, shared many wonderful memories over their nearly thirty-four years together. Traveling, spending time at their up-north cabin and socializing with their vast network of friends are just a few wonderful memories they created together. Nothing brought more happiness to Jim’s heart than the time he spent with his family.

Hard to believe that Jim found much time for himself over the years, yet he did have many special interests. Jim enjoyed running and claimed of completing the Lighthouse Run at a 9-minute mile pace! His company Heritage Realty was on the racecourse and he loved to play the songs, Chariots of Fire and Eye of the Tiger, at the event every year to motivate runners to finish strong! A longtime resident of the community he loved, it was no surprise that his favorite sports teams included his alma matter Marquette, as well as his daughter’s alma matter, Badger football, and the Green Bay Packers! He had an intense passion for history and loved to share stories with his friends, family, or anyone who would bend a listening ear! After retirement, he enjoyed taking history classes at Parkside University where he was known to challenge the professor’s knowledge! Always one to share his opinion or knowledge on a wide variety of topics, his comments and thoughts often appeared in his frequent letters to the Editor over the years. Dedicated, driven, and compassionate toward others, may his memories live on in the hearts of his special family and friends for generations to come.

James Louis Dickert, age 83, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 18, 2020, surrounded by his family. Surviving are, his wife, Dixie (Nee; Keller); beloved children; Heidi Dickert, Heather Dickert (fiancé Mark Heisman), Holly (Tom) Moore; grandchildren; Ellena and Brady Moore, and Brady Heisman; his loved stepchildren; Greg and Kathy Briscoe, Carrie Creamer, Julie and Danny Bakes; eight step-grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary Ann (Ray) Coffin, Margie (John) Burgess, Cathy (Tom) Scoville, Carol (Jacob) Scherer; sister-in-law, Judy Dickert; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many dear friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, David Dickert, Lee Dickert; former wife, Pat Dickert, beloved sister-in-law, Pat Dickert: step-son, Mark Briscoe; niece, Jennifer Dickert.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to John Dickert, Porter Venn and Mike Cundari for the companionship they provided up until the end. Additionally, we’d like to thank Bethany Dickert and the Seasons Hospice Team, the staff at Parkview Gardens and Dinah Rockett for their loving and compassionate care.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 1533 Erie St, Tuesday, February 25, 2020, 11:00 am with Fr. Steve Varghese officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Monday at the funeral home 4-7 pm and on Tuesday at the church at 10 am until 10:45 am. Private interment will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Duke and Mae Dickert Family Fund C/O Racine Community Foundation.