Jim served in the United States Navy from July of 1944 to June of 1946. He was in the Tokyo Harbor at the time of the WW II peace treaty signing.
On his return to Fremont following his discharge, he entered the construction business. Most of his work was in residential building.
He was married in 1949 to Bonnie Noe. Bonnie died on October 28, 1967, and in 1969, Jim moved to Waterloo. On January 7, 1988, Jim married Martha Snyder Blair, and they continued to live in Waterloo. In August of this year, they moved into the Elk Ridge Village , a retirement community, in Elkhorn.
Jim was a member of Fremont's Church of the Nazarene. Among his interests were woodworking and model trains. In his home he had displays of the Lionel and the larger German LGB model trains.
Survivors - wife Martha 'Marty'
daughter - Caren Lillie of Fremont
son - Ted and wife Vallerie Bokowski of Omaha
stepson - Scott Blair and 2 step-daughters Jana Claywell and Julie Blair, all of Omaha
8 grandchildren
6 step-grandchildren
9 great grandchildren
2 step-great grandchildren
brother - Stanley and wife Mardell Bokowski of Fremont
son-in-law - John Morehouse of Fremont
He was preceded in death by his first wife Bonnie, daughter Jamie Morehouse, son-in-law John Lillie, a step-grandson, and 5 brothers.
The funeral service will be 2 PM Wednesday (Oct. 22, 2008) in the Fremont Church of the Nazarene with the Rev. Tom Shaw officiating. The committal with Military Honors by the Fremont Honor Guard of American Legion Post 20 and VFW Post 854 will follow in Memorial Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Church of the Nazarene. Visitation at the Ludvigsen Mortuary will be today (Tuesday, Oct. 21st) from 3 to 8 PM, with the family receiving friends from 6:30 to 8 PM.
Condolences(1)
Galen Moes
Elkhorn, NE Wednesday, October 22, 2008 Although I was only provided with the gift of knowing Jim for two months, I am so happy to have met him. He was a man full of life and very enjoyable to be around. Jim and Martha moved to our Retirement Community and immediately made an impact with their social nature! Jim did, however, touch my life and that of many of my co-workers at Elk Ridge Village. I also know that he touched the lives of the residents in a very special way! Thoughts, Prayers, and Love from your Friends at Elk Ridge Village!