James J. Sobczyk

James J. Sobczyk

June 17, 1949 – February 26, 2020

James “Jim” Joseph Sobczyk was born in Omaha, Nebraska to Andrew and Rita Sobczyk.  He had five siblings: Mary Ellen Houston, Tom Sobczyk, Ray Sobczyk, Jane Sibilia, and Jerry Sobczyk.

He attended Our Lady of Lourdes grade school.  After eighth grade he attended St. Joseph’s Franciscan Seminary in Westmont, IL for 3 years before returning home to graduate from Ryan High School.  He then pursued a business degree from Creighton University, graduating in 1971.  Jim served his country in the Army Reserves as a cook from 1971 to 1977.  He specialized in soups, stews and gravies.  This is where he learned to make his famous 239 bean soup (because one more bean would make it too-fardy).

During college, Jim worked at the Dundee theater and was an altar server for St. Mary Magdalene Church downtown.  After working for his (then future) father-in-law for a few years at Crystal beverage he earned his MBD (Married the Boss’s Daughter).

He married Margaret Rose Riedmann on June 20, 1970 and had eight children: Jamie Sobczyk (Jill), Therese Acamo (Steve), Betsy Harding (Pat), Nicole Bourquin (Greg), Billy Sobczyk (Lindsay), Maggie Sobczyk-Barron (Anna), Mary Manley (David) and Tim Sobczyk (Jessie).  His 24 grandchildren were the light of his life and his favorite bragging material.

At times, Jim worked 3 jobs to support his family and beginning in 1968 he dedicated more than fifty years of his life to Cornhusker Beverage Mart, building a business that serves the needs of the community with beverage catering, social stationery and home brewing supplies.  His ethical business ways, jovial demeanor, faith-filled sentiments, seemingly endless knowledge and bad jokes will be what he is remembered for.  It was clear that he was always a good sport because he wore his “Jim Shirt” to work every day.

His eight children all graduated from Gross High School and he continued his support for the school by hosting an annual wine tasting fundraiser.

He loved singing in the church choir, sharing his love of gardening with his grandchildren and was an avid follower of Creighton Basketball and UNO Maverick Hockey.  He was involved in the St. Bernadette Men’s Club and is remembered for making the Italian peppers for St. Bernadette’s Church festival for years.  He spent decades as a merit badge counselor for the Boy Scouts and all three of his boys achieved the rank of Eagle Scout under his guidance.  He was a long-time member and past president of the Business Breakfast Club of Omaha.

As a daily mass goer, he often shared tidbits of the mass throughout the day, always starting his mornings at work with, “Today is the feast of….” While it is clear that his faith in God was the forefront of his life, there is no doubt it became stronger while teaching almost all of his eight children to drive.

His presence will not only be missed by his family, he will also be missed by many people in the community.  There are not enough words to share the impact he made on every person he met.  He has touched so many lives and will not be forgotten.

Family will receive friends Sunday, March 1^st from 2pm to 5pm, at St. Bernadette Catholic Church (7600 S. 42^nd St.) followed by VIGIL SERVICE at 5pm.  MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Monday, March 2^nd, 11am, St. Bernadette Catholic Church.  INTERMENT: Calvary Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to Masses or St. Bernadette Catholic Church or School.