James D. "Jim" Hirschman

James D. “Jim” Hirschman, 71, of St. Paul, died Friday, July 22, 2011, at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul. The Revs. Ray Kosmicki and Sidney Bruggeman will officiate. Burial will be in the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul. Visitation will be Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church, with a 7 p.m. vigil service and Knights of Columbus rosary. Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Hirschman was born on Oct. 13, 1939, at Grand Island, the son of Donald and Emma (Safarik) Hirschman. He was united in marriage to Virginia M. Matousek on September 17, 1960, at St. Paul. The couple celebrated their Golden Anniversary last fall. He is survived by his wife, Virginia; two sons and daughters-in-law, Bob and Kathy Hirschman and Ken and Deanna Hirschman, all of St. Paul; one daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Don Esch of Unadilla; and one brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Patti Hirschman of Grand Island. He also leaves to cherish his memory eight grandchildren, MaKayla Coufal and her husband, Joe, Madison Hirschman, Jessica, Allison and Hannah Esch, and Zachary, Abby and Braden Hirschman. Jim attended Howard County Rural Schools and graduated from St. Paul High School in 1956. He lived in the Gage Valley area his entire life until moving into St. Paul in 2008. He began farming at the age of 16 and loved to work the land. His main love was his registered Hereford cattle which he still raised at the time of his death. He had many champion bulls throughout his years of showing cattle. He was a steward of the land and was conscientious of environmental issues. His sense of humor made him many friends. He was loved by his family and grandkids and will be missed by many. He was a longtime member of St. Libory’s Catholic Church and a current member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus Council No. 1918 of St. Paul. He was a member of the American, Nebraska, Central Nebraska and North Central Nebraska Hereford Associations, having been a leader in all of them. He was also a member of the former Howard County Feeders and Breeders, and served on District No 15 School Board, Extension Board, Rural Fire Board, Howard/Greeley R.E.A. Board and was a 4-H leader. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother, Robert Hirschman; step-father, Sigurd Christensen; step-brother, Gary Christensen; and his in-laws, Anton and Anna Matousek. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the family’s choice.