James Eric Minikel, MD
May 25, 1943 – October 19, 2022
James “Jim” Minikel of Brookfield, Wisconsin died peacefully at home surrounded by his wife and daughters. Jim was a generous provider (not only to his family), a builder (of tables and characters), a protector, a jokester, a giver, an outdoorsman, a fixer of all things (car brakes, faulty wiring, broken arms, knee joints…). And he was so much more.
Jim’s thirty-year career as an Orthopedic Surgeon was built upon his work with his auto-mechanic father, his football career, his own orthopedic injury, his two years as a Captain in the US Air Force, and his need to fix things. He was a graduate of Southern Illinois University, University of Louisville Medical School, and he completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He practiced at the Milwaukee Clinic of Orthopedic Surgery, the majority of the time with his partners Drs. Kenneth Rath, James Rydlewicz, and Jeffrey Minikel.
He fought hard for more time with his beloved family. He is profoundly missed by Maria (nee Grana), his wife of 55 years; his three daughters, Laura Minikel, Julie Minikel-Lacocque, and Carrie Minikel; grandchildren, Benjamin and Adah Minikel-Lacocque, and Vera Minningham; sister, Susan Minikel; and brother, Jeffrey Minikel. He loved each of his sons-in-law, Bent Balle, David Minikel-Lacocque, and Geoffrey Cunningham. Jim was also Mike Knaebe’s “bonus” father and was honored to include Mike, Mike’s wife Liz, and their children Emily and Tyler in his family circle.
His generosity, humility, humor, and gentle kindness have made us all better.
Jim loved his dogs, and he loved science. In lieu of flowers, you may consider donations to the Elmbrook Humane Society, where he found Dozer, or to the ground-breaking work of The Prion Alliance, founded by his nephew Eric and Eric’s wife Sonia.
A Celebration of Jim’s life will be held at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin on December 3, 2022. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM. The opportunity for guests to share memories will begin at approximately 1:00 PM.