James Kerkman
1937 — 2014
James R. Kerkman, 76 of Battle Creek, passed away Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at the Golden Living Center in Neligh.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, January 24, 2014, at St. Boniface Church in Elgin, with Rev. Ross Burkhalter officiating. Interment followed in the parish cemetery. Huffman-Levander Funeral Home of Elgin is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.huffmanlevander.com
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James Richard Kerkman, son of William and Luella (Kuester) Kerkman, was born August 31, 1937 at Elgin. He attended St. Boniface Elementary School and graduated from St. Boniface High School. He entered the United States Army on December 2, 1960 and was honorably discharged on October 4, 1962.
On October 1, 1960, Jim was united in marriage to Mary Armbruster at St. Ignatius Church in Brunswick. The couple made their home near Elgin where Jim was actively involved in farming and agriculture related jobs throughout his life. Mary passed away in March 1976 due to cancer.
Jim married Evelyn Johnson on August 18, 1977 at St. John’s Church in Petersburg, and made their home in Elgin.
On October 26, 1985, Jim married Betty Beal at Plainview Congregational Church in Plainview and the couple made their home at Battle Creek where Jim lived until entering the Golden Living Center in Neligh in January 2012.
Jim was a lifelong member of St. Boniface Church in Elgin. He enjoyed all sports but especially the Chicago Cubs and Nebraska Cornhuskers. He also enjoyed watching and cheering on his children and grandchildren throughout the years and was always up for a backyard game of family softball.
He is survived by his wife Betty of Battle Creek, NE; children: Doug Kerkman of Columbus, NE; Dave Kerkman of Elgin, NE; Jayne Meis of Elgin, NE; Cynthia (Blake) Studley of Grand Island, NE; Jim Beal of Albion, NE; Jeri (Todd) Bessmer of Battle Creek, NE; Nyla (Dan) Kerber of Battle Creek, NE; 22 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; four sisters: Joyce Thramer of Ewing, NE; Alice Kallhoff of Neligh, NE; Millie (Larry) Wanser of O’Neill, NE; Joan (Larry) Luettel of Albion, NE; two brothers: Leonard (Judy) Kerkman of Clearwater, NE; Cyril (Deb) Kerkman of Atkinson, NE; and sister-in-law: June Kerkman of Elgin, NE; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; wife Mary in 1976; a sister: Phyllis Beckman; and two brothers: Louis Kerkman and Dean Kerkman.
