James William "Jim" Hawes

Hastings resident James William “Jim” Hawes, 99, passed away Friday, May 10, 2024, at The Heritage at College View, Hastings, NE.    

Rosary will be at 9:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial following at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 28, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Hastings with Father Jeremy Hazuka officiating. Burial with military rites by the Hastings Military Honor Guard will be at Parkview Cemetery in Hastings. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to one of the following: St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Hastings Catholic Schools, or to donor’s favorite charity. The service will be live-streamed on Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home’s website. To view the service, go to Jim’s obituary and click the play button shown towards the bottom of the page. 

Jim was born on July 14, 1924, at the family home near Heartwell, NE to John Leonard and Mary H. (Billesbach) Hawes, the second of five children. He grew up and worked on a farm. He graduated from Kenesaw High School, Kenesaw, NE in 1941, and was the last living member of his class. He served in the Army in Hawaii in 1945-1946. He attended the Grand Island Business College, studying bookkeeping and accounting. Jim married Anita M. Hupf on June 8, 1948, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Kenesaw. He worked as the office manager for Hastings Motor Truck Company in Hastings from November 29, 1948 until June 30, 1990, when he retired.

Jim and Anita were married for over 66 years until Anita passed away in 2015. Five children, all girls, were born of this union: Cathy, Jeanie, Peggy, Nancy, and Teresa. Jim and Anita were grandparents of nine and great-grandparents of 26. In their free time, they enjoyed dancing, visiting friends, playing cards, gardening, and some travel. Both were very involved in their church, including singing in the choir. Jim was also a lector at St. Michael’s Church. Jim was a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Council #1123, having served as Financial Secretary, Grand Knight, and Faithful Navigator of the Fourth Degree. They were honored by the Knights as runner-up for the 2012 Nebraska Family of the Year. They greatly enjoyed their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Anita; sisters and spouses, Marilyn and Al Wiebe and Gena Rose and Jack Portz; and brothers and spouse, Wayne and Maxine Hawes and Richard Hawes.  

SURVIVORS:

Daughters and Spouses:         
    Cathy and Jim Krebsbach – Hastings, NE
    Jeanie Byrne – Hastings, NE
    Peggy Aerisolphal – West Des Moines, IA
    Nancy and Elden Stromer – Colorado Springs, CO

    Teresa and Mark Luiz – Denver, CO

Grandchildren:                       
    Katie and Keith Wemhoff

    Kelli and Geoff Hirsch

    Jon and Rachel Krebsbach

    Caroline and Brennon Dungan

    Jim and Janet Byrne

    Nick and Megan Aerisolphal

    Emily and Wes Detwiler

    Brian and Kelley Stromer

    Cindy and Dave Caulfield

Great-Grandchildren:             
    Ben

    Meghan

    Lilly

    Norah

    Sophia

    Lucy

    Zelie

    Caroline

    Maura

    Kiera

    Evan 

    Rebecca

    Andrew

    Emily

    Tommy

    Avery

    Jackson

    Grace

    Mason

    Emery

    Annie

    Thomas

    Luke

    Jack

    Ali

   Colin

Sister-in-law:                          
    Phyllis Hawes – Hastings, NE

Many Cousins, Nephews, Nieces, and their children, as well as many dear friends