In Memory of

James

J.

""Jim""

Schaefer

Obituary for James J. ""Jim"" Schaefer

James Joseph Schaefer


Jim Schaefer, 87, of Sidney, Nebraska went home to Heaven on Friday, January 5th, 2018. Vigil and Rosary will be at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, January 12th at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sidney. Mass of Christian Burial and Celebration of Life will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, at St. Patrick's Church in Sidney, NE with Father Michael F. McDermott celebrating, followed by a military graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery. There will be a lunch at the Parish Hall following the burial, and Jim would want all his family and friends to attend and share their favorite memories. Cremation has been held. Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel on Friday from 1-4:00 p.m. to sign Jim’s register book and drop off condolences for the family. You may view Jim’s Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and memories at www.gehrigstittchapel.com. Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is handling arrangements. The family would like to thank Skyview Nursing Home and staff, and Hospice caregiver, Jan Bayne.
James Joseph Schaefer, the son of Killian and Elizabeth (Korth) Schaefer, was born March 30, 1930 on the family farm near Fleming, Colorado. Jim attended school at St. Peters by horse and buggy. As a young man, Jim learned to love golf, poker, fishing, and watching sports, and these continued to be his interests throughout his life. He especially loved watching the Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies games.
Jim was an ambitious and hard-working man like his father. Over the course of his life, he owned and worked several businesses including a farm, a sheet and metal business, a construction company, and a wood-working shop. Jim ended up in Sidney in 1993, purchasing the Country Kettle where he made many lifelong friends. Jim had a wide circle of friends who he loved - golf friends, poker friends, and several coffee groups who he joined at different times each day. He never knew a stranger! A priest summed up Jim’s personality well when he said, “Jim presents a kindness when he enters a room without saying a word.”
Jim was a special person and true gentleman who showed kindness to all. He will lovingly be missed by his wife, Judy Schaefer; brother, Maurice Schaefer; and ten children – Steve & Cathy Schaefer; Rod & Lois Schaefer; Jeanette & Rich Beam; Marilyn & Jim Gerk; Joan & Gary Marin; Gerry & Carrie Schaefer; DeeAnn & Glenn Ross; Jodi Lechman & Doyle Noud; Jo-el & Rich Jarvis; and Chris & Mara Lechman. Jim is also survived by twenty grandkids, twelve great grandkids, over eighty nieces and nephews, and countless friends and family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Killian and Elizabeth Schaefer; his parents-in-law, John & Sidney Gallavan; seven brothers and one sister.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made in his honor to the family for future designation at P.O. Box 620, Sidney, NE 69162.