James Melvin "Jim" Keyser

1936 - 2026

James Melvin "Jim" Keyser, 90, of Broken Bow, Neb., passed away Feb. 11, 2026, at Syracuse, Neb.

Jim was born Jan. 13, 1936, in a sod house west of Arnold in Logan County, the son of Melvin Emmett and Clara (Schroeder) Keyser. He was the oldest of five boys.

He attended Powell Canyon country school near Arnold through the eighth grade, and public schools in Arnold and Broken Bow.
In his younger days, he enjoyed training horses and participating in rodeos with his brothers, competing in calf roping, saddle bronc riding, bull riding and bareback riding.

Around the age of 20, Jim was able to alert his aunt, uncle and their three daughters to a house fire. All six escaped without injury; the house was a total loss.

Jim served in the United States Army from 1958 to 1964, stationed in Germany. He graduated from the Seventh United States Army Noncommissioned Officers' Academy, Germany, in March 1960. He was a Master Tank Gunner, E5 rank.

Jim married Janice Jo Sinn on Dec. 15, 1964, at the Lillian Church north of Broken Bow.

During his life, Jim was a rancher and over the road trucker. He enjoyed watching rodeos and cattle sales on-line, fishing, telling stories, having coffee at the Tumbleweed Cafe, spending time talking to Bud and friends at Eberle's Boot & Saddle Repair, and going to auctions.

In November 2008, his daughters took him to Las Vegas for the Professional Bull Riding Finals. It was his first time on an airplane since his Army days, and he was surprised it didn't backfire going down the runway, as the military plane had. He was also surprised to learn airplanes have bathrooms.

Jim took a trip to Texas to visit his brothers. Stories will be repeated for years of shenanigans with cousins Dee Hall and Shannon Schroeder.

Jim is survived by his wife Jan Keyser of Douglas,; brothers Marvin (Kay) Keyser of Stillwater, Okla., and Roger Keyser of Apple Valley, Calif.; daughters Joanna Keyser of Lincoln, Jeanne Keyser (Randy Holdsworth) of Douglas and Janell Keyser (Derek Bell) of Denver, Colo.; grandsons Kristopher John Staab II (Allison) of Red Oak, Iowa and James Robert "JR" (Kierra) Staab of Lincoln; four great-grandchildren (plus one on the way); and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers Lawrence LaVerne (Steve) and Gayle Lewis.

Throughout his life, Jim loved spending time at the Cameron Hall ranch north of Arnold, helping with branding and spending time with his cousins. His ashes will be spread at the ranch.

Arrangements are by Fusselman Allen Harvey Funeral Home of Syracuse. Direct cremation was chosen. Condolences can be left online at www.fusselmanallenharvey.com.