July 31, 1943 - November 4, 2020
James E. Kullberg passed away November 4, 2020. Jim was born in Hastings, NE, to Obed and Opal (Nixon) Kullberg. He graduated from Hastings High School where he played football and tennis. He then studied at the University of Nebraska where he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. Jim graduated with a civil engineering degree and was commissioned as an officer In the United States Air Force. He honorably served in the Air Force as a civil engineer officer during the Vietnam era and was released from active duty at Columbus AFB, MS, 15 March 1971.
Before leaving the state he successfully passed the Mississippi State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers & Land Surveyors. This is why he was always a Nebraska and Mississippi State football fan. He held Kansas and Missouri Board of Technical Professional licenses and belonged to the National Society of Professional Engineers. Non-professionally he enjoyed and belonged to the Oregon California Trail Association (OCTA) and the Civil War Round Table of Kansas City. Both organizations enhanced his love of history. One of the other activities he enjoyed was trying to run. He was proud to train and complete the Lincoln, NE, marathon. When Jim moved to Overland Park, he immediately had the minister visit (before the stored furniture arrived) and joined the former Valley View United Methodist Church where among other activities, he taught high school Sunday School, volunteered for Vacation Bible School, served as a confirmation mentor, attended Bible studies and after retirement worked at the Harvesters Food Pantry at the Stillwell Baptist Church. Jim was always ready to volunteer.
He married his wife Mary on November 5, 1966. They had three sons Jim (Wendy), Pat (Jennifer), and Steve (Stacey). There are eight grandchildren – Jarod, Ashlyn, Lauren, Robert, Sam, Finley, Beckett and Quinn who he called “little squirt”. His very supportive sons, wonderful daughters-in-law, and beloved grandchildren brought him great joy as he spent time with them. As a Grandpa he especially enjoyed attending the grandchildren’s sporting events and cheering them on.
He was predeceased by his parents, brother Richard and sister Judith; his sisters-in-law Suella Stalder and Virginia Eickhoff; his aunts Betty Kent, Laura Ward and three additional aunts on the Kullberg side of the family tree; and uncles Bob Kent, Jesse Ward, Ward Nixon, Harold Kullberg, and Eastman Kullberg.
He is survived by his wife, sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, sister-in-law Patricia Morris, brother-in-law Neal Eickhoff; nieces Leigh Ann Eickhoff and Amy Beth Christ (Ryan); five great nephews and many wonderful cousins.
A memorial service, for family only due to the pandemic, will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, November 24, 2020. Others may view the live stream of the memorial service on Monticello United Methodist Church's YouTube channel (Monticello United Methodist Church Shawnee, KS).
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC12-HFPzYGhDFL_d9-s5HtQ
Interment of ashes will be in Steele Cemetery, Falls City, NE.
The family requests no flowers instead suggesting optional memorial donations be made to the Monticello UMC, 23860 W. 75th St., Shawnee, KS 66227; or the Food Pantry at Stilwell First Baptist Church, 19950 Broadmoor Ln, Stillwell, KS 68085.
