James E. Palu

James E. “Jim” Palu, 86, of Loup City, died Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Grand Island. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Josaphat's Catholic Church in Loup City. The Rev. Richard L. Piontkowski will officiate. Jim's wishes were to be cremated. Inurnment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Loup City, with graveside military honors by American Legion Post No. 48 of Loup City. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the church with a 7 p.m. vigil service and Knights of Columbus rosary. Peters Funeral Home of Loup City is assisting the family. Mr. Palu was born on July 17, 1930, at Ashton, the son of Walter and Johanna (Zielinski) Paluch. Jim attended country school until the 8th grade. His father passed away when he was 8 years old. He helped the family raise turkeys, farm and milk cows until he was drafted into the Army in 1954. After his honorable discharge in 1956, he was employed with the Omaha Cab Company for one years. He then returned home and farmed the family farm just one mile north of Sherman Lake. Jim also worked for the ASCS Office as a surveyor and was a township grader operator during his years on the farm. He was united in marriage to Marian Mroczek on Sept. 28, 1957. Together they raised four children before moving into Loup City in 1996, when Jim semi-retired. Jim and Marian celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary just days before his passing. He was a member of St. Josaphat's Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council No. 5455, American Legion Post No. 48, all of Loup City and was a country school board member. He is survived by his wife, Marian of Loup City; his children and spouses, Connie Palu of Loup City, Jeff and Susan Palu of Holdrege, Mike and Vicki Palu of Grand Island and Cindy and Mark Muhlbach of Ravenna. His memory will also be cherished by nine grandchildren, Brad and Jennifer Palu and great grandson, Harrison of Kearney, Justin Palu and fiance', Candace Davis of Charlotte, NC, Derek and Larissa Palu of Lincoln, Jason and Becky Palu of Salt Lake City, UT, Jessica Palu of Manhattan, NY, Kevin Palu of West Des Moines, IA, Steph Muhlbach of Holdrege, Morgan Muhlbach of Ft. Collins, CO and McKenzie Muhlbach of Ravenna. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Harry Palu, brother and sister-in-law, Arnold and Ernestine Palu, Sr.; sisters and brothers-in-law, Emily and Harry Stobbe and Clara and Lloyd Grudzinski. Memorials are suggested to the Loup City Fire Department and EMT's.