James E. Kressig

James E. Kressig age 88 of Hartington, Nebraska died on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, SD.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Hartington with the Rev. Owen Korte officiating.  Burial of his cremated remains will be at St. Michael’s Cemetery at a later date.   Visitation with his body present will be on Friday from 5-7:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. at the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington.  Military honors by the Hartington VFW Post #5283 and the Legion Riders after the funeral mass.   Visitation will continue on Saturday one hour prior to services at church.   Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington.

You may watch a livestream of the funeral service at www.facebook.com/WintzRay/live

Pallbearers will be Jason Ehlers, Ryan Eickhoff, Josh Wortmann, Patrick Wortmann, Beau Lubberstedt, and Andrew Dennis.

 Honorary pallbearers will be Adam Smith, Jacob Smith, Nicholas Smith, Maria Smith, Ashley Eickhoff, Brandie Sprieck, Nicole Dennis, Kim Anderson, Travis Wortmann and all the great grandchildren.

 James Ervan was born on December 14, 1935 in Hartington, NE to Ervan A. and Geneva (Whitehorn) Kressig.  James grew up in the Hartington area and went to country school prior to attending and graduating from Hartington High School in 1953.  Jim served in the U.S. Army from 1958-1960 while being stationed in Germany.  After his honorable discharge Jim lived and worked in California for a few years and then worked for Kolberg’s manufacturing in Yankton, SD before deciding to farm with his brother Donovan.  Jim was always busy on the farm and made that his lifelong career. Jim married Janice Faye Kittle (Smith) on May 24, 1976 in Norfolk, NE.

 Jim was a member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church.  He loved to read books, with Westerns his favorite.   He liked riding his motorcycle and enjoyed Square Dancing with his wife Janice for many years.  Jim and his brother Don and wife Lorraine would always look forward to eating out at Rodeo’s in Coleridge every week.  In his early years he enjoyed horseback riding and trail rides.

 Jim is survived by his seven step-children Mark Smith of Rockford, IL, Chuck Smith of Hartington, Jim (Dawn) Smith of Birmingham, AL, Dan Smith of Lakewood, CA, Darryl Smith of Hartington, Theresa (Ryan) Lubberstedt of Dixon, Marla (Randy) Wortmann of Hartington; 12 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; one sister-in-law Lorraine Kressig of Yankton, SD.

 Jim was preceded in death by his parents, wife Janice on 5/12/2014 at the age of 76 years; brother Donovan on 1/19/2024; granddaughter Megan Smith; grandson Erik Smith; two infant sisters; and by his Aunt Flora Hassman who helped raise Jim and Don.