Jimmie "Jim" J. Kusek

Obituary

Jimmie “Jim” J. Kusek 79 of Loup City, Nebraska died Friday, February 12, 2021 at Loup City. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 21, 2021 at St. Josaphat’s Catholic Church in Loup City. Father Richard Piontkowski will Celebrate the Mass. Masks or face coverings are recommended. Burial of the ashes will be held at a later date. Military honors will be provided by the Loup City American Legion Post #48 outside of the church following mass. Visitation will be one hour before the service. Memorials are suggested to the Sherman County Senior Center or donor’s choice. You can view the mass on the Higgins Funeral Home Facebook page. The direct link is facebook.com/Higgins-Funeral-Home-111005270563508. 

Jim was born to Adolph and Esther (Smedra) Kusek in Loup City, NE on January 12, 1942. He grew up on the family farm with his six siblings. He attended St. Josaphat School and later attended Loup City High School where he graduated. After graduation, he enlisted in the Navy where he was a Navy Aviation Electronic Technician. While serving in the Navy, he met Cecelia “CeCe” Basta and they were later wed on June 8, 1963 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Yorktown, VA. They raised a daughter, Edith Kusek, and a son, Edward “Alan” Kusek.  

After serving in the Navy, Jim attended Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He then worked as a Federal Auditor/Accountant in VA. He also joined the Army Reserves. The family later transferred to Ogden, UT where Jim continued his government carrier. He later became an Engineering Assistant with Amoco in Sugar Creek, MO. When the oil refinery closed, he transferred with Amoco to be a Refinery Inspector in Texas City, TX. He retired from the Army Reserves as a Master Sergeant after 20 years of service and later retired in January 1998 from Amoco.

Jim’s dream was to retire on a farm back home in Loup City, NE. In 1998, his dream came to fruition, when he and CeCe left Texas for Loup City. He and CeCe remodeled an old farmhouse that was brought to their farm. They enjoyed 58 years of marriage together. 

Jim was a long-time member of St. Josaphat Catholic Church where he enjoyed teaching middle school students CCE and confirmation. He also participated with the Knights of Columbus and was a member of the Loup City American Legion Post #48.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, CeCe Kusek of Loup City, NE; daughter, Edith Kusek of Loup City, NE; son, Alan (Jewel) Kusek of Brighton, CO; sister, Kathy Kusek of Loup City, NE; brother, Bob (Diane) Kusek of El Cajon, CA; brother, Paul (Elaine) Kusek of Loup City, NE; sister, Mary (Donnie) Lewandowski of Ashton, NE; sister, Barbara (Leonard) Kashlen of Grand Island, NE; sister, Martha Kusek of Yutan, NE; sister-in-law, Mary Jane Hogge of Diggs, VA; grandson, Christopher (Kayla) Kusek of Coldspring, TX; grandson, Steven (Lex) Kusek of Tomball, TX; granddaughter Mary (Gian) Palacios of Houston, TX; granddaughter Lindsey Kusek (Matt Saenz) of Spring, TX; grandson Paul Pless of Spring, TX; great-grandchildren Bentley, Jubilee, Jonah, Ryleigh and Corban; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Adolph and Esther Kusek.