James "Jim" Ray Luedtke, 67, of Clarkson, Nebraska, died Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 10:00 AM, at St. John's Lutheran Church, 12.5 miles North of Columbus, with Rev. Paul Rempfer officiating.  Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery at Creston, Nebraska.  Visitation will be on Friday from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue Saturday from 9:00 AM until service time at the church.  There will be a family prayer service on Saturday at 9:45 AM at the church.  Memorials are suggested as the donor or family choice.  A luncheon will be served at the Creston Community Building immediately following the committal service.

James Ray Luedtke was born March 20, 1957, in Columbus, Nebraska, to Ralph and Edna (Oeltjen) Luedtke.  He was baptized and confirmed his Christian faith through confirmation at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Creston, Nebraska.  Jim graduated from Leigh High School in 1975 and started working for Bill Oeltjen Farms as a sophomore in high school.  On April 29, 1978, Jim was united in marriage to Cheryl Hollatz at St. John's Lutheran Church (12.5 miles north), rural Columbus.

Jim continued working for Oeltjen Farms for approximately 17 years until becoming self-employed under the name of Luedtke Excavation for 15 years.  In 1999, they moved to the Clarkson area and Jim began working for Dornemann Construction in Clarkson.  He was a member of the Creston Fire Department for 25 years, had served as President of the Creston School Board, and was on the church council at St. Peter's Lutheran Church where he was a member.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, spending time with his neighbors and friends, and especially loved his time with his grandkids.

Jim is survived by:
Wife – Cheryl Luedtke of Clarkson, NE
Son – Clint (Kristina) Luedtke of Phoenix, AZ
Twin granddaughters – Juniper and Ainsley
Daughter – Tiffany (Vance) Wietfeld of Norfolk, NE
Grandchildren – Sutton, Benton, and Lennon
Brother – Jack (Linda) Luedtke of Creston, NE
Nieces and nephews

Jim was preceded in death by:
Parents – Ralph and Edna Luedtke