James O. Lugenbeel

James “Jim” Lugenbeel was born on November 7, 1930 to Lyle and Hazel (Brown) Lugenbeel, in Williams Nebraska. Later they moved to Hubbell Ne. and this is where he spent his “growing up” years.
When he was young, he spent his days hunting, fishing, and trapping. His traps were a sad ending for many a gopher. And he would sell them for 5 cents apiece. Sometimes he would be gone all day setting and checking traps.

He mowed lawns, worked at an elevator, and helped a farmer with his grain trucks. He found a way to Omaha, and with the help of a friend, got a job working for a firm that made tanks for gas trucks. He was there for about 10 months, and then went home for a week-end and took a job with the railroad putting in a new bridge. After some time he was sent to Pueblo Colorado. When that job was finished, he returned home again where he joined the United States Navy. He was in the Navy for 4 years and was in the Korean War. He saw a lot of active duty, with stops in Hong Kong, the Philippines, Wake Island, and Hawaii.

After discharge he got a job in Colby, Kansas laying pipeline. After a year he went to Blue Rapids, Kansas to work putting in a disposal plant. This is where he met and married Jean Harper. To this union 4 children were born: Donna Jean, James Allen, Sheri Lynne, and Lori Ann. They lived in Grants, New Mexico. While there he worked at a Safeway store where he learned to be a meat cutter. This turned out to be his lifelong profession. His last job was at Fairbury Gardens as a maintenance man doing plumbing, painting, yard work and anything else that needed to be done. After 7 years, he finally retired. As a hobby he began making bird houses, feeders, yard and house signs.

In 1973 he met and married Nina Hansen Davis. For the next several years they had their hands full, raising and caring for 10 children. Jim and Nina were lovers of country music. Jims favorite song was Help Me Make it Through the Night.

Jim passed away peacefully, with his wife of 43 years by his side, on July 20 at the Heritage Care Center. He is survived by his wife, Nina, daughters, Donna and husband Richard Stansberry, Sheri Zoch, Lori and husband Jim Carey, and son, James and wife Sharon Lugenbeel. Step Daughters, Sheryl and husband Gilbert Beadle, Rene’ Scheer and Dave Summers, Step Sons, Kelly and wife Sandie Davis, Chris and wife Katie Davis, and John and wife Tammi Davis. 32 Grandchildren, 64 Great Grandchildren, and 7 Great Great-Children.

Preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, Dick and Jack Lugenbeel, Step Daughter, Patricia Lou Urich, and Sons-in-Law Leonard Urich, Mick McDaniel and Wayne Zoch.

Services will be Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Fairbury with Pastor Randy Novotny officiating. The family will greet friends Monday evening from 6 – 8 at the Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Fairbury Cemetery with full military rites. Memorials will go to the Family’s Choice.