With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our dearest father, grandfather, brother, and cherished husband James (Jim) Edward Story, who left this world on April 29, 2024, at the age of 84. He passed peacefully, surrounded by his loving family.
Jim Edward was born on December 2, 1939, in Burwell, Nebraska to his parents, Alvin and Eleanore (Dunn) Story.
Jim was raised across the sandhills of Nebraska from North Platte, Ainsworth, Thedford, Cozad, and Arnold where he spent his early days stacking hay and lifeguarding. He attended Arnold High School where he was a prolific athlete (competing in football, basketball, and track, including a state championship in high jump) before graduating in the class of 1959, with his high school sweetheart and his future wife, Donna Rae Harwager.
Jim and Donna were wed on January 21, 1961, at the Methodist Church in Arthur, Nebraska. They began their married life as he worked at the Flying A Cattle Company and Smith Farms in Arnold, Nebraska. The couple welcomed five children: Randy, Brian, Kelli, John, and Bob. In 1969, Jim and Donna moved to Coon Rapids, Iowa where they raised their kids and worked for the Garst Cattle Company. Their shared adventures took them to Delta Junction, Alaska where Jim spent a year working in road construction before returning to Stapleton, Nebraska in 1999 where Jim and Donna worked as a certified 18-wheel truck driver for Lacaeyse Transport based in Grinnell, Iowa for over 15 years. Upon retirement, Jim devoted his life to his wife and family. Those that survive Jim include his children: Randy (Tami) Story of Alta, Iowa; Brian Story of Williams, Iowa; Kelli (Kim) Reis of Webster City, Iowa; John (Janelle) Story of Cheyenne, Wyoming; Bob (Brandy) Story of North Platte, Nebraska; his grandchildren: Amy (Sailesh Babhania) Reis of Zionsville, Indiana; Chelsie (Dustin) Kopaska of Guthrie Center, Iowa; Jordan (Nick) Wonderlin of Lexington, North Carolina; Logan (Dexter) Hanson of Round Rock, Texas; Izaac (Karlie Kinneer) Reis of Leesburg, Virginia; Macey (Ethan) Budke of North Platte, Nebraska; Delaney (Nick) Meyer of LeMars, Iowa; Taylor (Scot) Simons of Panora, Iowa; Garett (Skye) Story of North Platte, Nebraska; Chenoa (James) Gradert of Sibley, Iowa; Gabe Story of Nevada, Iowa; Matthew (Jordan) Story of Charleston, West Virginia; Samuel (Nathan) Story of North Platte, Nebraska; 14 great-grandchildren; brother: Jerry (Sharon) Story of Fairbanks, Alaska; sister: Jan Coble of California; sisters and brother-in-law: LaVon Harwager of Arnold, Nebraska; Anita Harwager of Stapleton, Nebraska; David Harkins of North Las Vegas, Nevada; as well as numerous relatives and friends who will deeply miss his presence.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Donna Rae, with whom he shared 62 years of adventurous and blissful marriage; parents: Alvin and Eleanore Story; sister: Jody Harvey; brother-in-law: Ron Harvey; mother and father-in-law: Leo and Florence Harwager; brothers and sisters-in-law: Marilyn, Bill (Karen), Jack, Dan, and Dean Harwager; and great-granddaughter: Rynleigh Story. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at the United Methodist Church in Arnold, Nebraska. Burial will follow at Arnold Cemetery with a luncheon immediately available upon conclusion. Online condolences may be shared with the family (www.govierbrothers.com).
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Arnold Legion Post #130 in his memory (via Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow, NE) and sympathy cards may be sent to Kelli (Story) Reis at 2575 Briggs Woods Road, Webster City, IA 50595.