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James E. Kullberg

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.  
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Memorial Service
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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC12-HFPzYGhDFL_d9-s5HtQ
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City:
Shawnee
State:
Kansas
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Date of Service:
Nov 24, 2020
Time of Service:
11:00 am
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Condolences

Shawn Hall Nov 11, 2020

Sorry to hear of the loss of your father Jimmy. Prayers to you and your family. Shawn Hall

Karen F Petersen Nov 11, 2020

Friend ,LENEXA ,Kansas

Dear Mary & family: Loved this guy and his smiling face. Remember fondly greeting you each Sunday at Valley View north door. We talked Nebraska football and more. Fun times on our Mission Trip to Midwest Mission Distribution Center My condolences to you Mary and all the family. He will be missed so much.

Eric Allen Nov 11, 2020

I’m sorry for your loss.

Nick Graham Nov 11, 2020

Friend ,Dallas ,Texas

Mary, James (Jimmy), Pat, Steve and your entire family, Amy and I would like to express our sincere sympathy and encouragement of strength as you have lost a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. Amy and I have both suffered the loss of our fathers and we think about them all of the time and thank the lord they are no longer suffering. I only met Papa Jim a couple of times but in my interactions with Jimmy and other members of your family, it has been evident that Mary and Jim were great leaders as parents and grandparents and I'm certain Mary will keep the trend alive. We wish you all the best in these difficult times and hope your holidays will be filled with celebration of great memories of Jim and the joy of being together. Best regards, Amy and Nick Graham

Ann Christensen Nov 12, 2020

Friend ,Santa Fe ,New Mexico

My heart goes out to the family at this difficult time. I am so very sorry for your loss. Go in peace Jim, Ann

Bill McDonald Nov 15, 2020

Son played baseball for me at Shawnee Mission South ,Olathe ,Kansas

Steve - I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad - I did not get to know him that well but I do know what a wonderful Dad he had to be to have a son such as you - He and your Mom created a kind considerate young man in you and that is such a compliment to him and your Mom. I remember the loss of my Dad as though it happened yeaterday and the greatest gift my parents gave to me was to be the best Dad I could be. Being a Dad never ends and always I hear my Dad's voice when I make decisions. Thank you for my chance to have known you and your family - Bill McDonald

Steve Kullberg Nov 16, 2020

Son ,Lenexa ,Kansas

Coach McDonald. Thank you for the nice message. You had a significant impact on me. I appreciate all you did and was glad to play ball for SMS. We had a good run and being Sunflower league champs.... :) it’s pretty cool thank you for your nice words. You were a highly respected coach and person.

Susan Elliott Klatt Nov 18, 2020

High school classmate ,Hastings ,Nebraska

Sending my prayers and sympathy to Jim’s family. Thoughts and prayers to all of you. Jim was a gentleman and a good friend. Always enjoyed visiting with him and Mary Beth when they would attend the class reunions. Blessings to all. Susan Elliott Klatt class of 1961

John Mathews Nov 21, 2020

Friend of Jimmy ,Olathe ,Kansas

I had the opportunity to meet him only once, but have heard many impressive things about him from Jimmy, who is a friend I hold in the highest esteem. That to me would be the best evidence of the kind of man he was to his family. My deepest sympathies go out to you at this time, while adding sincere regards for a life well lived. John Mathews

DeWayne Kalberg Nov 24, 2020

High School Classmate ,Overland Park ,Kansas

So sorry for your loss, Jim was a good friend and loved by many.

Garry & Jane Metcalf Nov 24, 2020

Friends ,Olathe ,Kansas

We watched the church service and were reminded what a great guy Jim was and what a great family he anchored. May God bless all of you.

Steve Walje Nov 24, 2020

Eldest son's childhood buddy, family friend ,Frederick ,Colorado

Growing up with his eldest son from pre-kindergarten on through high school & college, as a child I looked to Jim truly as a second father. One like my own, with true - not just so commonly claimed - unquestioned morals and ethics. A true and ethical patriarch to a great family. Through all the years and the test of time, growing up with his eldest son as a best friend, from the earliest years at Valley View Methodist Church until through college years, I didn't know at the time that he would be one of only a couple men I would have ever in my life have the pleasure to know as the definition, and all that it entails, as a true Great Man...Great FAMILY Man. THE EXAMPLE... there are so very few. God bless Jim & the family he and Mary Beth made together. Your legacy is enshrined there.

Nathan Gronberg Nov 24, 2020

High School friend of Steve ,Broomfield ,Colorado

Steve - I am so sorry for your and your family's loss. I remember both of your parents always being so welcoming to your friends and so positive and supportive. No doubt this must be a tough time for you and your immediate and extended family. My prayers are with you and my hope is that you all find rest and peace in God's loving arms. Nathan

John Ward Dec 05, 2020

Cousin ,Punta Gorda ,Florida

It is hard to bid farewell to my cousin and friend Jim Kullberg. The times with him are great memories. We are each grandchildren of John and LaVerne Nixon, nine boys in a row then finally a granddaughter "Susie". We had our good times, even when he surpassed me in standing height at a early age. Jim was a good son, a good Christian, served his country and his profession, and was a model father. He was blessed with Mary Beth a wonderful wife and three very commendable sons and families My wife Pat and I extend our condolences. We are glad to say "we are in the same family". With Love John and Pat Ward.