James K Witte

James Witte, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and lifelong Nebraskan, passed away at South Haven Living Center in Wahoo on March 21, 2026. Born in Wahoo on September 29, 1948, Jim lived his entire life in Saunders County. He spent his early years on a farm near Yutan before his parents built the family gas station in town. It was there that Jim learned the value of hard work, balancing his responsibilities at the station with his passion for sports. He was a 1966 graduate of Yutan High School where he played football, basketball, and ran track.

On June 14, 1970 – exactly one year to the day after their first date – Jim married his beautiful bride, Barbara Swanson, at the United Methodist Church in Wahoo. Their 55-year marriage was built on a foundation of faith and love. Together, they raised two daughters, Angela and Karen, living in Wahoo for many years before returning to Yutan in 1993.

Soon after high school graduation, Jim took a job at the Bell System manufacturing plant in Omaha, where he worked in various departments until his retirement after 36 years of service. His retirement was short-lived because, soon after, he became a beloved part-time bus driver for the Millard School District. He took immense pride in his role as bus driver, and especially loved driving the bus for his grandchildren’s school field trips. In his final years of work, he served the Yutan Public School system by driving special needs students, a position he held until his final retirement in 2024.

While Jim was a fervent fan of Husker sports, Chicago Cubs, and Wahoo basketball, his true passion was his family. As a grandfather, Jim was a constant, cheering presence. He rarely missed a single activity, whether it was a baseball game, volleyball match, swim meet, show choir performance, piano recital or art show.

His favorite place to be was surrounded by family on Friday nights – going out to eat, playing competitive games of HORSE, Catch-Phrase, ping-pong, or pitch, and gathering around the family room singing worship music. The Rocky Mountains and Estes Park held a special place in Jim and Barb’s hearts; it was the setting of their honeymoon and the backdrop for many memorable family vacations throughout the years.

Jim is survived by his wife Barbara; daughters Angela (Brett) Heckens, and Karen (Greg) Roberg; grandson Kaleb Heckens; granddaughters Karissa (Cameron) Miller, Lindsey (Caleb) Sandall, and Kailey Roberg; great-grandson Nathan Miller; sisters Sharon Miller and Connie Witte; nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Leona Witte; brothers Roger Witte and Bill Witte; father-in-law and mother-in-law Ralph and Bonnie Swanson; brother-in-law Marlan Miller; and sister-in-law Marilyn Witte.

Visitation will be Friday, March 27, 2026 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Elkhorn Hills United Methodist Church. Memorial services will be at 2:00 pm Saturday, March 28, also at the church. Interment will be at Sunrise Cemetery in Wahoo. Memorials are suggested to the Youth Program at Elkhorn Hills United Methodist Church.