Jim E. Kuszak

Jim E. Kuszak, 79, of Dannebrog died Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, at Brookefield Park in St. Paul. Liturgy of the Word services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday at Peters Funeral Home in St. Paul. The Rev. Sidney Bruggeman will officiate. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Grand Island, with flag presentation by Mickelsen-Larkowski American Legion Post 241 of Dannebrog. Visitation will be Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Jim was born on Aug. 19, 1939, at Ashton, the son of Leo and Bertha (Koperski) Kuszak. As he was growing up, he and his family lived in various communities in the Midwest. He always had fond memories of living in Michigan. The family later moved to Grand Island where he graduated from Grand Island Senior High in 1958. At the age of 19, he began his long career of working for Fairbanks-Morse Pump Company in Grand Island. In 1984, he purchased the business which was then called GI Pump Company. Jim retired in Feb. 2017. He was united in marriage to Sue K. Miller on Dec. 15, 1962, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Grand Island. The couple first lived in Grand Island. He served in the United States Army from Apr. 16, 1963, until his discharge on Feb. 7, 1964. He and Sue lived and raised their family on a farm, east of Dannebrog. Jim enjoyed raising cattle, sheep and horses and an occasional casino trip to South Dakota. He loved cruising around keeping up on the latest and also driving around the country on Sundays listening to the Big Joe's Polka Show. He is survived by his wife, Sue of Dannebrog; children and spouses, Kathy and Bob Hirschman of St. Paul, Julie and Tom Fagan of Cairo, Marcia and Ron Ward of St. Paul, Steven and Rachael Kuszak of Central City and Allison and B.J. Behring of St. Paul; 7 grandchildren, MaKayla and Joe Coufal, Madison Hirschman; Akeyli, Zayden and McKenzie Kuszak; and Jade and Harlee Behring; and two great-grandchildren, Reed and Henry Coufal; four sisters and brothers-in-law, Marjorie and Larry Creason of Grand Island, Darlene and Jerry McAhren of Wood River, Bernadine and Dennis Niemann and Betty and Ron Rhoads, all of Grand Island; one sister-in-law, Dee Kuszak of St. Paul; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Dan, Leon and Gerald Kuszak; and his furry friend, Spike. Memorials are suggested to the Dannebrog and Fire and Rescue.