James "Jim" Liljehorn

James “Jim” Liljehorn, 79 of Kearney passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at CHI Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at First Lutheran Church in Kearney with Rev. Dr. Michelle Holley Carlson and Rev. Dr. Rick Carlson officiating. Interment will be held prior to the service at Kearney Cemetery. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Jim was born on November 6, 1945 in Holdrege, NE. He was the fourth child and only son born to Wesley and Agnes Liljehorn of Bertrand, NE. He graduated from Bertrand High School in 1963. He then attended Milford Trade School for 2 years and then attended Fairbury Junior College from 1966-1968. He graduated from Kearney State College with a degree in Psychology, Sociology and Criminology in 1974. On August 17, 1968, Jim married Sharon Peterson at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bertrand, NE. They have lived in Kearney their entire marriage. Two boys, Dustin and Josh, were born to this union. He worked at The Boys Training School (YRTC) for seven years as a cottage counselor. He began working with concrete during his last year in college. In 1977 he started his own business and was awarded a franchise for Bonanza buildings. In 1988, Jim and a partner formed Concrete Workers. He worked in various states pouring concrete, including Illinois, Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska. In 2006, he started S &J Construction and worked with his son, Josh. Jim loved working outside, but when the winter got too cold, he enjoyed renovating old houses in Kearney. Jim had a passion for hard work, which gave him great joy. He loved driving around Kearney looking at the projects he had done. Jim was a great storyteller and always had a joke, that might last 10 minutes, for every situation. He was a member of First Lutheran Church and he and Sharon enjoyed volunteering at the church. Jim and Sharon loved to travel and took many trips, including the East coast, West Coast, Canada, The Panama Canal, Hawaii and many others. They enjoyed their cabin at Johnson Lake and spending time with family. He was preceded in death by his parents Wesley and Agnes Liljehorn. He is survived by his wife, Sharon of Kearney; children, Dustin (Sherri) of Parker, CO and Josh of Kearney; and three beloved grandchildren, Gavin, Grant and Caleb; three sisters, Barbara Olson of Lincoln, Janet Percival of Bertrand and Judy Benson of Sumner. Memorials are suggested to the First Lutheran Church or to donor’s choice. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services.

James "Jim" Liljehorn

November 6, 1945 - May 20, 2025