of Fremont, passed away quietly at his home in Fremont in the early morning hours of Sunday, October 12, 2008 after a 4 ½ month battle with cancer. It was a disease he fought with the same courageous spirit and steady resolve with which he faced everything in life. He was born to Walter and Elaine (Conrad) Hoegemeyer on the family farm in rural Scribner, on May 30, 1940. He attended District 92 as well as St. Peter's Parochial School and was a 1958 graduate of Scribner High School. He went on to the University of Nebraska Lincoln and graduated from the College of Agriculture in 1963. Upon graduation from UNL he was commissioned as an officer in the Air Force. He rose to the rank of Captain and his service to the country included time in Viet Nam in 1964. On May 15 of that same year he married Sara Springer, the love of his life. He went to work for Valmont Industries in 1969 and worked there for 33 years before retiring. He loved golf and organized and played in several leagues. He was an avid outdoorsman and was especially fond of hunting white tail deer. He enjoyed coin collecting and was a member of both the Fremont and Wahoo Coin Clubs. He and his wife also square danced as members of the Star Lighter square dance club. He was active in his church, Trinity Lutheran, having served on the school board as well as serving as an Elder. After a car accident nearly took his life in 1969 he decided to donate blood and out of gratitude for the sacrifice that once saved him, he donated 16 gallons of whole blood and 160 units of platelets over the course of his life. Jim was an honest, kind, gentle, and sincere man who will be greatly missed by the friends and family he leaves behind.
Including his wife of 44 years Sara, daughter Ami Sims of Idaho Springs, CO; son Tim and wife Jennifer Hoegemeyer and grandsons Levi and Canaan, all of Holly Springs, NC; Brother Jerry and wife Sally Hoegemeyer, of Sedro Wooley, WA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister Marge and brother-in-law Eugene Peterson.
Visitation will be Tuesday October 14, 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. with family receiving friends from 6:30 - 8:00 at Ludvigsen Mortuary in Fremont. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 15, at Trinity Lutheran Church. Internment will follow at Memorial Cemetery with Military Honors by the Fremont Honor Guard. Memorials may be donated to Trinity Lutheran School or the Kidney Cancer Association.
Condolences(13)
Dan Kohl
, Tuesday, October 28, 2008 Ami and family- Sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers! Dan KohlCreeta Dahl
Scribner, NE Saturday, October 18, 2008 The pain is no more and he is looking down at all of you and smiling and telling you that he is rejoicing with his Lord. Amen. Jerry and I are class mates from high school. I new Jim a wee bit (Marg more) but when I did see him and remind him who I was, we was ready to talk. God loves you all and we all wait for the peace that only HE can give. CreetaLois & Claude Harder
Fremont, NE Thursday, October 16, 2008 We are so sorry to learn of Jim's death. I enjoyed carring for Jim's eyewear while working at Valmont and with you, Sara, at the office. Some nice memories and visits. So glad that you had enjoyed square dancing. We just returned, yesterday, from visiting our son in Terre Haute, IN for two weeks and found a message from the Square Dance Website about Jim's death. You had told me that Jim was ill when we visited at the grocery store. Our sympathy for you and your family. Sincerely, LoisSandra DePetro
Omaha, NE Thursday, October 16, 2008 My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. My mom had told me about Jim and I wanted to let you know we are all thinking of you. My parents always enjoyed his visits and talked about his kindness and concern for others. I miss seeing you and hope we could meet one of these times and catch up on where the old unemployment group has scattered to.Charlene Walter Donnelly
Hot Springs, AR Wednesday, October 15, 2008 Eve Holtkamp let me know of Jim's passing. Sorry to hear of the sad news. I can relate, as we just lost my Father-in-Law Oct 2nd. I worked at Valmont for a few years with Jim and the guy just never slowed down! He was always busy, but he did take time to make coffee for everyone, and boy, did we drink it up!!!! My thoughts are with you. Char Walter DonnellyEve Holtkamp
Hot Springs, AR Tuesday, October 14, 2008 Dear Sara and Family, I knew Jimbo as I used to call him at Valmont for 27 yrs. and worked closely with him for most of those years. He was a wonderful man and I counted him as one of my closest friends. I have thought of him often since I retired. He has touched so many lives and hearts and was a genuine hero to lots of people. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Sincerely, Eve HoltkampMyron & Jeanette Groppe
Scribner, NE Tuesday, October 14, 2008 Sara and family, We are so sorry for your loss. I (Jeanette) had the privilege of going to the same church and we both were in high school with Jim although a few years behind. He was fun and full of life and a true Christian. He had hurdles in his life but he always met them and faced them with God's help and with grace and dignity. We will rejoice when we meet him again in eternity as we know you will also. Myron & Jeanette GroppeRuth Tucker
Omaha, NE Tuesday, October 14, 2008 Sorry to hear of Jimmie's passing. I worked (clerical) in the Post Hospital Care Clinic at the VA Medical Center back in the 1970's when Jim would come for treatment. He had to sign in and out with me at each visit. He was such a great patient and I truly enjoyed his coming to the clinic. I had a friend that worked at Valmont and knew Jim from there too. She died a few years ago. Have thought of him so often and wondered how he was doing. Just felt I needed to write a few words of comfort to you, Sara. You and your family have my sympathy.Merle, Nan, Sarah, and David Hoegermeyer
Omaha, NE Monday, October 13, 2008 Sara, We are sorry to hear of Jim's passing. I would see Jim on rare occasions though the years and found him to be always very friendly taking time to visit with me. We will never forget a year ago when we all spent most of the day together when our cousins from Germany came to Nebraska for a visit. That was one of the best times I've had. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Merle, Nan, Sarah, & DavidBruce & Pat Ferguson
Scribner, NE Monday, October 13, 2008 Sara: We were sorry to hear of Jim's passing. What a wonderful man....I remember him fondly when he would stop by the UI office...always a smile, wave and friendly joke. He will be dearly missed. We are praying for you, Tim, Ami and their families. He is now in a place where he is at peace and his pain is gone. God Bless you all and may he keep you in the warmth of his loving arms as you grieve the loss of Jim.The Hellers - Doug, Deb, Josh & Paula
Omaha, NE Monday, October 13, 2008 Sara & Family: Please know that all of you are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Jim is no longer in pain and is looking down upon all of us with that radiant smile he always had on his face. He will be terribly missed at our camp outs, the occasional golf outings at the different camping locations and sitting around the campfire. All of you should be proud to know he was a man of character to everyone he met. Our hearts go out to you during this time as he will truly be missed. The Hellers Doug, Deb, Joshua and PaulaKris BAiley
Cary, NC Monday, October 13, 2008 Mr. and Mrs. Hoegemeyer would visit their son Tim here in North Carolina. He was always gracious, encouraging and fun. Mr. Hoegemeyer once brought a package of prime steaks from Nebraska just to show us here in NC what a real steak was like! His warmth showed in every handshake, hug and smile. His excellent charcter lives now and lives on in his son Tim and in his grandsons, Levi and Canaan and in Tim' marriage to Jennifer. I will miss Mr. Hoegemeyer, he is a man worthly of respect and our hearts go out to his wife and kids. Respectfully, Kris and Terri BaileyKaren Zoucha
Fremont, NE Monday, October 13, 2008 Sara, I am very sad to hear about Jim. You are in my thoughts and prayers. He will be missed. Karen Zoucha