A family visitation will be held at Stokely Funeral Home on Friday, October 17th, from 4:30–6:30 PM. A Celebration of Life at the Nielsen Center will be held at 7:00 PM where family and friends will watch the Husker game together and share their favorite stories about Jim. The funeral service will take place on Saturday, October 18th, at 1:00 PM at Zion Lutheran Church in rural Bancroft, where he and Carol were married. Memorials may be designated to the family for future designation.   Arrangements by Stokely Funeral Home.

James “Jim” Allen Reimers was born in West Point, Nebraska, to Allen and Evelyn (Benne) Reimers. He grew up on the family farm east of town, alongside his four siblings, marking the third generation of Reimers to call that land home.

After graduating from West Point Jr.-Sr. High School in 1962, Jim attended Milford Community College, where he trained to become an electrician. Often known as J.R., his sharp mind, steady hands, and strong work ethic guided him through a successful career — from founding Reimers TV and Appliance to spending several decades at IBP, and ultimately retiring as Plant Engineer at Tyson (now the West Point Dairy).

Jim married the love of his life, Carol Ann Heyne. Together, they built a home filled with laughter, lots of games, and deep love. Married for 45 years, they raised six children who went on to grow families of their own: Michael (Michelle) Reimers, Paityn & Brodie; Dr. Connie Reimers-Hild (Jim Hild), Raquel & Jagger; Craig (Cary) Reimers, Caden (Makenzie), Brenna (Noah Journey), Jayci & Kinsley; Marsha (Rich) Bacon, Harrison & Jamison; Jade (Jennifer) Reimers, Taven & Harper; and Joshua (Antonia) Reimers, Mayda, Mara & Marissa. He was also a proud Great-Grandpa to Raylynn, Westyn, Beckham & Huxley.

Family defined Jim’s life. He devoted himself to being a loving husband, an extraordinary dad, and a proud grandpa. He showed up for every moment, big and small. He celebrated the good times, stayed strong through the challenges, and built a family rooted in love, faith, and togetherness. Whether coaching the Red Sox t-ball team or inviting friends and neighbors to join family games, Jim made everyone feel like they belonged.

Holidays were very important to Jim, who wanted to carry on family traditions. He kept Christmas “stockins” up on a special wall all year long and taught himself to bake a turkey with homemade stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy using the recipes and wisdom passed down from his mom, Evelyn, and wife, Carol. He loved teaching his children and grandchildren how to pick mulberries, make peach dumplings, and bake an apple pie. Jim filled the kitchen with laughter and joy when he prepared food for his family, which often included peeling and mashing potatoes.

Jim could fix or “MacGyver” anything. He enjoyed solving problems, working until everything was done, and taking pride in completing projects. His strong work ethic and determination set an example that inspired his family and friends. Nothing made Jim happier than rolling up his sleeves beside his kids and grandkids, showing them how to repair, build, and farm. He took pride in knowing that the skills and wisdom he shared would be passed down to future generations.

Jim filled life with laughter, play, and surprises. He loved squirt gun battles, backyard football, basketball (from using his famous hook shot to beating the kids at P-I-G and H-O-R-S-E), sledding, snowball fights, and ping-pong tournaments. Jim made sure to teach every member of the family “23 Skidoo,” which was a Reimers family favorite. He enjoyed celebrating birthdays and made sure that his children and grandchildren knew none of them were too old for their annual birthday spankings. His fireworks displays lit up the night with parachutes, M-80s, and pop bottle rockets. His surprise squirt gun attacks became the stuff of legend.

Jim was playful and ornery throughout his whole life and enjoyed teasing his family, nieces, nephews, and friends with his mischievous grin, signature laugh, and twinkle in his blue eyes.

Jim loved gambling and a good game of cards. He often played with his kids, grandkids, family, and friends. Jim enjoyed Sunday trips to the casino and his special chair at the Neiman house for legendary card games and many enjoyable evenings.

Jim loved being outdoors and taking vacations. He enjoyed camping, fishing, and boating with his family and friends. Jim often shared ghost stories while camping, where the legendary Chicken Liver Story became a family favorite. New generations still laugh and shiver when they hear them. He always balanced a playful spirit with fairness and wisdom while addressing his children, especially when they threw paper “wads” throughout the house.

Jim was an iconic patriarch who lived with joy, humility, humor, and deep respect for everyone he met. He was a husband, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, brother, and friend who brightened the world through love, laughter, and generosity. His spirit lives on in the stories, smiles, and memories he shared with all of us.

Jim will be greatly missed by his family and friends. They take comfort in knowing that he is reunited in heaven with his parents, Allen & Evelyn; his beloved wife Carol; his oldest son Michael; his son-in-law Rich; and the many siblings, in-laws, and friends who welcome him home.