James F. Kelly

KELLY, James Frederick, Aug 23, 1913 – Jan 9, 2010. It is with a great sigh of sadness that we announce the passing of James Frederick Kelly. He was born on a farmstead in Surprise, NE on August 23, 1913 to Hugh and Julia (Ficke) Kelly. Jim’s childhood of hard work on the family’s farm included driving a four-horse propelled single row plow starting at the age of 10. In 1935 he moved to Omaha. He lived with his maternal grandparents, the Fickes, in North Omaha. Jim would walk five miles to downtown in search of jobs in order to save the nickel car fare. He found his “calling” in the restaurant business and with the exception of four years service in the U.S. Army during WWII, he was an Omaha restaurateur for over forty years. Jimmy’s Café and Kelly’s Café served home cooked meals based on his mother’s recipes. He told tales of truckers, Omaha policemen and cab drivers, in 1950’s Omaha, lined up out the door and down the sidewalk just to have a lunch of his famous Hot Beef Sandwich or Navy Bean Soup. In 1945 Jim, as a Staff Sgt in the U. S. Army along with his Company, met the Russians on the Elbe River in the final days of WWII. Jim was preceded in death by his loving wife and business partner, Louise Ann; his first born daughter, Sheila Ann; brothers, Leo and John; sister, Lucille. He is survived by daughters, Diana Couture and Chris Nickerson of Washington State; sister, Mary Jones; four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. His many nieces and nephews, who frequently visited and called, will miss him greatly. Rest in Peace dad, brother, grandfather, great granddad, uncle and friend. VIGIL SERVICE Friday, 6pm, West Center Chapel. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL Saturday, 10am, Christ the King Catholic Church. Private Interment, Calvary. VISITATION from 12noon Thursday, with family receiving friends FRIDAY, 4pm-6pm at the West Center Chapel. VISITATION resumes Saturday, 9am, at Christ the King Church. Memorials are suggested to Red Cloud Indian School in Pine Ridge, SD, or Christ the King Catholic Church..

HEAFEY-HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK & CUTLER Mortuaries and Crematories 7805 West Center Road Omaha, Nebraska 68124 (402) 391-3900

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