James "Jim" Engel

Fairfield resident James ‘Jim’ D. Engel, 81, passed away Wednesday, April 28, 2021, at College View Assisted Living and Memory Support, Hastings, NE.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 4, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Glenvil with Pastor Patti Byrne officiating. Burial will be at Glenvil Cemetery in Glenvil following the service. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Monday, May 3, at Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church. The service will be live-streamed on Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home’s Facebook page. The direct link for that page is www.facebook.com/lbvfh , the link will not be live until five minutes before service time.

Jim was born August 13, 1939, in Hastings, NE to Jesse & Evelyn (Saathoff) Engel. Due to his father’s passing, Evelyn remarried to Elden Fitzke. Jim attended Fairfield High school and graduated in 1957. After high school he attended Lincoln School of Commerce graduating with his Associates in Business. Jim married Shari Knox on August 22, 1957 in San Jose, CA.

He worked for Fairfield State Bank and began as a teller, but quickly worked his way up and eventually became president. Jim parted ways with the bank in 1978 and began his own insurance agency and tax preparation business, about the same time he and his brother started a farming operation as well.

Jim loved spending summers in Harlan at their trailer, and never missed the grand kids sporting or school events. He also enjoyed auctions and collecting John Deer tractors.

James was preceded in death by his parents; step-father and brother, Steve Engel.

SURVIVORS:
Wife:
Shari (Knox) Engel

Children & Spouses:
James II “Jim” & Sue Engel – Fairfield, NE
Dale & Val Engel – Hastings, NE
Mike Engel & Tammy Leptich-Engel – Chicago, IL
Grandchildren:
Katie & Ben Bramble
Zach Engel
Amber & Jim Coffey
Andy & Alli Engel
Adam & Kari Engel
Jake Leptich
Great-Grandchildren:
Grady Bramble
Alma Bramble
Delilah Bramble
Thayer Bramble
Genevieve Bramble
Morgan Coffey
Jackson Coffey
Ansley Coffey
Samuel Coffey
Parker Engel
Rhett Engel
Sister:
Judy Foote – Casper, WY
Sisters & Brother-in-law:
Rita Engel
Delores Schliep
Karen Knox
Gene Knox
Aunt:
Wanda Hinrichs
Many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and other family members