@Gardener1850 Jennie-O in Barron has two openings for a shift worker and a "supply person" (machine operator). Only other openings I can see are for interns. Could these be James and Denise's jobs?
"Excellent pay and benefit package including health, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, vacation, holidays, flexible spending accounts, retirement savings plan with 401K match, continuing education, and much more."
Sounds like the benefits were pretty good. And it says life insurance.
Since the next of kin is gone any money they had is even more tied up than normal. The rest of the family might not have been able to pay and they would definitely have a hard time becoming executor to get the funds James and Denise had in their bank account or insurance.