James Niel Arneson was born March 13, 1935, on a farm near Inavale, to Linton and Helen (Potter) Arneson and passed away Sept. 14, 2024, at Ridgewood Care Center in Seward at the age of 89 years, 6 months and 1 day.
Jim graduated from Red Cloud High School in 1952. He attended summer school at Kearney State College and taught country school in a one-room school for two years. Jim was drafted into the United States Army on Oct. 12, 1954. He had basic training at Fort Bliss, Texas and was then stationed in Mannheim, Germany. Jim was honorably discharged from the Army reserve on Nov. 30, 1962. He returned home on Oct. 2, 1956, and returned to Kearney State College.
Jim was united in marriage to Mary Jo Kirchner at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Esbon, Kansas, on June 1, 1957. To this union, five boys were born, Michael, Richard, Steven, David and Mark. They lived in Kansas City, Missouri for three months, where he was employed at Katz Drug Store. They moved to Kearney, where he attended Kearney State College and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English and Speech.
He taught for one year in Smith Center, Kansas, and one year in Shelby. They moved to Seward in May of 1961, where he taught English, Speech, Speed and Remedial Reading until 1968. Jim received his degree in guidance counseling and was the guidance counselor until May of 1995, when he retired.
Jim volunteered and enjoyed driving the Seward Senior Shuttle, delivering Meals on Wheels and working for the Cross Makers. He delivered communion to nursing homes and Memorial Hospital and was always willing to help those in need.
The couple loved to travel and spent most summers camping with their kids, renting a cabin in Grand Lake, Colorado, for many years. They traveled to Hawaii, Ireland and the Holy Land, and cruised to the Panama Canal, Alaska, several Caribbean cruises, Niagra Falls and Canada. Jim also went on an honor flight to Washington, D.C.
James was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Hobart Arneson and wife, Theola; sisters, Renee Laird and Eileen Arneson; brother-in-law, Greg Potter; sister-in-law, Kathleen Rector and husband, Duane; brother-in-law, Charles Kirchner and wife, Kathleen; sister-in-law, Marion Kirchner; brother-in-law, Danny E. Kirchner and nephews, Danny T. and Brian Kirchner.
Survivors cherishing his memory include his wife of 67 years, Mary Jo Arneson, Seward; sons, Michael Arneson and wife, Sharry, Cheyenne, WY, Richard Arneson and wife, Sheri, Hastings, Steve Arneson and wife, Elizabeth, Omaha, Dave Arneson and wife, Cindy, Omaha and Mark Arneson and wife, Debbie, Lincoln; 19 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren; brothers, Ron Arneson, Bill Arneson and Joe Arneson; sister, Shirely Potter; brothers-in-law, James Kirchner and Richard Kirchner; numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends.
Visitation is Sunday, Sept. 22, from 1 – 4 p.m. at Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home. Family will receive friends from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Seward. Mass of Christian Burial is at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 23, at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Parkinson’s Foundation or Seward Senior Center. Arrangements by Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home.
