Died Sunday, April 5, 2026 at Nebraska Methodist Hospital
James Edward Engelhardt was born July 18, 1939, in West Point, Nebraska, to Edward and Emma 'Brasch' Engelhardt. He attended grade school in District 31, Cuming County. He attended Concordia High School in Seward, Nebraska, for his freshman year, then completed his sophomore through senior years at Beemer High School, graduating in 1957. He attended one semester at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.
Jim joined the United States Marine Corps in February 1959 and served until February 1963. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton for one year and at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Glenview.
He was baptized at St. John Lutheran Church in Beemer, Nebraska, and confirmed there on March 29, 1953. He attended Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fremont, Nebraska regularly.
He worked at Valmont, Avco Finance, and Davis Construction before beginning his career with Union Pacific in October 1967. He retired from Union Pacific in June 1997.
On October 6, 1962, Jim married Barbara Jean (Sauer) Engelhardt, of Chicago, Illinois. They shared 63 years of marriage.
Jim loved camping, fishing, gardening and playing cards. He was a proud father and grandfather. He liked to dance and listen to the radio. While in the service he was a part-time Arthur Murray dance instructor.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Emma Engelhardt; and his sisters, June (Vernon) Beckman, Dorathy (Ed) Pieper, and Georgia (Alfred) Batenhorst.
Jim is survived by his wife, Barbara Jean Engelhardt; his children, Scott Engelhardt, Mark (Julie) Engelhardt, and Karen (Justin) Ryman; and his grandchildren, Daniel, Emily, Alyssa, and Caleb Engelhardt; Katelyn (Michael) Prophit, Alex, and Karlie Ryman. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Visitation on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 from 4pm to 8pm with the family present 6pm to 8pm at the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel in Fremont. The funeral will be 10am, Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Trinity Lutheran Church. Burial will Military Honors will follow in Ridge Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Lutheran Hour or the Trinity Roof Fund.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Here's the direct link: https://dashboard.boxcast.com/broadcasts/maxn5ndmjnwjvjwoabrk
Link to stream on our website: https://trinityfremont.com/live/
Condolences(4)
Mike and Deb Hurst
Missouri Valley, NE Wednesday, April 8, 2026 Our condolences to your family. Thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve, remember, and celebrate the life of a great man.Chrisana Brumage
Omaha, NE Wednesday, April 8, 2026 My deepest condolences to you and your family. Sending a lot of love and support to you.Debbie (Lundstrom) Kucera
FREMONT, NE Monday, April 6, 2026 Barb, and family, I’m so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing, you were such great neighbors and friends to mom and dad for a lot of years!Claire Smutz (Eckley)
Fremont, NE Monday, April 6, 2026 I'm so sorry to read that Jim passed on. Always enjoyed visiting with him. Just had a nice visit with him and family last June at my sister-in-law birthday party. Rest in peace Jim! Your all in my prayers and thoughts. He was such a soft spoken gentleman.