James Reiss

1934 - 2025

James Reiss

December 1, 1934 - October 21, 2025

A memorial service for James L. Reiss will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at 3 p.m. at the Grand Hall at Immanuel Lakeside Retirement Community, Grand Hall, 17545 Frances Street, Omaha, NE with the Rev. Frank Kerkemeyer officiating.

Graveside memorial service will be held on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 3 p.m. at the Wilcox Cemetery at Wilcox, Neb. with Pastor Marcia Dorn officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the Wilcox American Legion Post #377 in conjunction with the United States Army Funeral Honors Team.

James Larry "Jim" Reiss, 90 years of age, of Omaha, passed away Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at the Immanuel Lighthouse in Omaha, Neb., surrounded by his wife and children. James was born on December 1, 1934, in Holdrege, Neb. He was the youngest of six children born to Frederick and Katherine (DeVries) Reiss, who lived on a farmstead in Wilcox. Jim was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Wilcox and was a lifelong Lutheran. He graduated from Wilcox Public Schools in 1952.

Jim enlisted in the United States Navy in 1955 and served at the Great Lakes, Pensacola, Maine, and Malta locations. After being honorably discharged in 1957, he returned home to Wilcox, Neb., where he opened the Jim Reiss Agency in Wilcox and later Hildreth, Neb. as a real estate and insurance agent. Larry Hinrichs joined him as a partner in the Hildreth office until retirement. Jim also served as President of the Professional Insurance Agents of Nebraska and Iowa (PIA).

On March 4, 1959, Jim and Janis (Bahensky) were married. To this union, two children were born: Jeffrey and Joni. On September 3, 1977, he married Marsha (Nelson) Vannoy which added two additional children to the family: Ann and Timothy. Jim and Marsha celebrated 48 years of marriage this September.

Jim was actively involved in numerous business and community endeavors, including owning North Shore Marina with his son Jeff, Lions Club, South Central United Chamber of Commerce, and Wilcox Chamber of Commerce, all of which promoted and advanced communities in south central Nebraska.

After he retired, Jim and Marsha made their home in Seward and Eagle, Neb., and Loveland, Colo. Jim made a friend everywhere he went. He continued to be involved in many endeavors such as working at Seward Motor Freight, Woodland Hills Golf Course, and Camp Carol Joy Holling. He enjoyed golfing and woodworking. They returned to the Lincoln and Omaha area in 2021.

Friends and family have fond memories of his humor and practical jokes. He loved to share great stories of his family, travels, and life experiences. Jim loved his hometown of Wilcox and served on the Wilcox Board of Education, QRT and volunteer fire department. Jim also loved to hunt and was instrumental in starting the South-Central Pheasants Forever Chapter in Nebraska.

Jim was preceded in death by his son, Jeffrey; son-in-law, Stuart Schlatz; parents, Frederich Jr. and Katherine (Devries) Reiss; siblings: Louida (Lloyd) Golter, Landis (H.J.) Wiederspan, Arlynn Reiss, Belva Jean (Ron) DeBord; and brother-in-law, Rollie Haas.

Survivors include his wife, Marsha, of Omaha; children: Joni Schlatz of Doniphan, Neb., Ann and husband, Brad Fruhling of Gretna, Neb., Timothy Vannoy and wife, Kathy of Leawood, Kan.; and daughter-in-law, Sharon Reiss of Omaha; sister, Audrey Haas of Mesa, Ariz.; 13 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and many relatives and friends.

Jim was very involved in every community he lived in, and they all held a special place in his heart. Memorials in Jim's honor can be designated to Immanuel Care Community, the Wilcox Community Foundation, Alzheimer's Association, or Camp Carol Joy Holling.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com.

Bauer-Torrey & Mach

Alma, NE

308-995-4114