James 'Jim' Rowley

James “Jim” L. Rowley, 85, of Syracuse, Nebraska, passed away on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. He was born on Feb. 5, 1939, in Farnam, Nebraska, to Warren and Doris (Gugelman) Rowley. He began his education at a one room country school in Orafino, Nebraska. The family moved to Curtis, Nebraska, where he attended another country school through the eighth grade. Jim completed his high school education at the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture, graduating as valedictorian of his class in 1957. He then moved to Omaha, Nebraska, to attend Commercial Extension School of Business, majoring in accounting. After graduating, he started his professional career at J.H. Martig Plumbing Company in Omaha.

Jim married Twyla Kaspersen, his loving partner of 64 years, on April 24, 1960, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Arcadia, Iowa. Their first two children, Erin (1962) and Jeri (1965) were born in Omaha. In 1968, Jim started his career in the meat packing industry as the accountant for Spencer Foods new plant in Schuyler, Nebraska. Their son, Brett, was born there in 1969. In 1970, Jim was transferred to the company’s main office in Spencer. In 1981, he became part owner of Beef Specialists of Iowa in Hartley. He remained there as chief financial officer until his “retirement” in 1995.

Jim and Twyla then purchased farmland and built their dream home near Syracuse, Nebraska, an ongoing project with Jim meticulously completing much of the finish work himself.

Jim was a hard-working perfectionist who put 100% of himself into any project he tackled. Honesty and accuracy were integral to him. He enjoyed building things and working with his hands, hunting, maintaining a perfectly manicured lawn, spending time with family and a cold beer at the end of the day.

His Nebraska heritage was very important to him, and he maintained lifelong connections with many of his high school classmates and friends from his time in Omaha.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, LeRoy and Arlene Kaspersen; brother-in-law, Dennis Turner; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sharon and Denny Maasen; brother-in-law, Terry Kaspersen.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Twyla; sister Charlene Turner; brother-in-law and sister-in-law LeRoy and Joyce Kaspersen; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Tom and Marjean Lipton; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Keith and Diane Kaspersen; sister-in-law Kelly Kaspersen; children, Erin (Worth) Lutz, Jeri (Ali Sadjadi) Rowley, Brett (Kelly) Rowley; grandchildren Graham (Jordan Bailey) Lutz, Abigail and Jacob Parsons, Colt Baker, Jade Baker, Gabe Rowley, Cale Rowley and Jenna Rowley.

A private family burial will be held in Syracuse with a celebration of life to be scheduled at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Capital Humane Society, 6500 S. 70th St. Lincoln, NE 68516.

Arrangements by Fusselman Allen Harvey Funeral Home of Syracuse.

Condolences to www.fusselmanallenharvey.com.