James Strobl

James Edward Strobl was born May 21, 1938 on a small farm just a half mile north of Red Cloud, Nebraska. Jim passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.

Jim was the oldest child of Vencil Joseph Strobl and Dorothy Mae Post Strobl. His life-long love for bicycling began as a young boy. He could ride his bike from his house at 1013 N. Seward Ave., all the way downtown in Red Cloud, without touching his handlebars. One of Jim’s favorite memories was that he loved to watch his school’s band. One day the base drummer didn’t show up, so the band director, Mr. Bunch, said, “Strobl! Get over here!” The base drum was strapped on and Jim became the base drummer. In high school Jim played the coronet. He was active in football, basketball, track, band, and was on the yearbook staff. Jim graduated from Red Cloud High School in 1956. In the summers, Jim and his brothers hauled hay for the family cattle operation. Jim also drove a gas truck for his father and delivered fuel to area farmers.

After high school, Jim attended the School of Commerce in Omaha and received a junior accounting degree. While working at Brandies Department Store in Omaha, he was awarded a scholarship for tuition and books at Omaha University. Jim attended UNO from 1957-1959. He then transferred to the University of Nebraska to pursue a degree in business administration and banking.

In the fall of 1961, Jim volunteered for the draft and entered the United States Army. After completion of basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, MO., he returned to Red Cloud where he and Glennys Diane Arneson were married on December 16, 1961. Jim and Diane moved to Fort Carson, Colorado where he served in the 705th Maintenance Battalion Headquarters. He received a Good Conduct Medal and completed his two years of active duty in the summer of 1963. Jim and Diane moved back to Red Cloud where Jim managed the city swimming pool, and Diane was an instructor. That fall Jim and Diane returned to UNL where Jim completed his degree in business. He worked for a year in Omaha while Diane completed her degree in 1965 in Medical Technology. Audrey Dianne Strobl was born on April 2, 1965.

Jim and Diane moved to Los Angeles, CA where Jim began working for Security Pacific Bank. Amy Lynn Strobl was born on August 6, 1968. The family returned to Red Cloud where Jim worked in the bank, and Diane worked in the hospital laboratory. In 1969 they moved to Bruning, NE where Jim continued to work in banking. In 1970 the family settled in Lawrence Kansas so Jim could start working on his Master’s in Business Administration. On May 20, 1974, Benjamin James Strobl was born. While at KU, Jim began working at Watkins Student Health Center and was named director in 1983. Under Jim’s leadership, Watkins grew to become the largest on-campus student health center in the country. He was named employee of the year at the University of Kansas in 1983. Jim retired in 1998.

Jim and Diane loved traveling and camping and the family visited many national parks and nearly all states as well as Canada. Many of the best family memories came from camping trips. Following in the footsteps of Jim’s grandparents Glen and Hazel Post, as well as Vencil and Dorothy, Jim and Diane spent many winters in Yuma Arizona where they enjoyed the sunshine, making new friends, bicycling, going for jeep rides in the dessert, and getting date shakes at the date farms.

Jim was an avid Cornhusker football fan. He did not miss a game from 1946 until his death. He attended games when he could, saw them on tv when available or listened on the radio when he had to.

Jim realized it was in God’s hands. Sumission, obedience and dependence to God was the backbone of our nation and the pioneers that settled in the Red Cloud area.

Jim was proceeded in death by his parents, Vencil and Dorthy, brother Richard, and sister, Barbara.

Left to cherish his memory, brother Dan (Shari) Strobl of Danville KY, wife of 61 years, Diane; daughter Audrey (Terry) Soergel of Wichita KS, Amy (Pat) Easum of Wichita KS, and son Ben (Aimee) Strobl of Kansas City. Grandchildren: Brandelein, Jocelyn, Wynn, Abby, Mason, Emilie, Katie, James, great grandchildren Iris and Sumi, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were Friday, 11:00 am., March 3, 2023, at the Williams Funeral Home in Red Cloud with the Rev. Dan Benedict officiating. Interment with military honors was at the Red Cloud Cemetery.

The family request no flowers and memorials will be directed to the Red Cloud VFW Post #238  -  205 N. Franklin Street, Red Cloud, Nebraska  68970

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Williams Funeral Home
241 West 4th Avenue
Red Cloud, Nebraska  68970

Phone 402-746-2500
williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com

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