James Franklin Sughroue

James Franklin Sughroue

Sept. 8, 1932-Dec. 25, 2012

INDIANOLA, Nebraska -- James Franklin Sughroue of Indianola passed away Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012, near Palisade as a result of a motor vehicle accident. He was 80 years old.

Jim was born on Sept. 8, 1932, to parents, Francis W. and Johanna (Schutte) Sughroue. He graduated from Indianola High School in 1951.

On Jan. 28, 1953, he entered the US Army and served during the Korean War with the 34th Engineer Company. On July 1, 1953, while stationed in Tokyo, Japan, he was united in marriage to Leah Clair Allen at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Indianola. To this union eight children were born. After he was honorably discharged on Jan. 27, 1955, they made their home in Indianola and later Enders where Jim was superintendant of Enders Dam. In 1979, Jim became a supervisor for the Bureau of Reclamation and the family relocated to Indianola.

He was a member of St. Catherine's Catholic Church, long time member of the McCook Elk's Lodge, Indianola American Legion Mathias Colling Post No. 344 and Harris Martin VFW Post No. 5826. Other memberships included AA where he served as a mentor and counselor for Valley Hope in Norton, Kansas, and the Work Ethic Camp in McCook. He rarely missed a day playing cards with the community building card group, loved working in his yard and garden, going fishing and hunting and was an avid Husker fan. His greatest joy in life was being with his children and grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Francis and Johanna Sughroue; daughter, Janine Sughroue; sons, Jeffery and James "Jimmy" Sughroue; brothers, Gerald (Ann) and Charles (Rita) Sughroue; and sisters, Frances Allen (Clayton Green) (Joe Allen) and Mary (Dale) Lyons; and brother-in-law, James Ryan.

Survivors include his loving wife of 59 years, Leah Sughroue of Indianola; daughters, Jeanette and husband, Larry Munger, of Imperial, Julie and husband, Mike Anderson, of Cheyenne, Wyoming and Jill Bartels and fiancé, Jim Jumps of McCook; sons, Jay Sughroue of Lakewood, Colorado and Joel Sughroue of Indianola; daughters-in-law, Marcia and Ramona Sughroue, both of Indianola; brothers, Don Sughroue and wife, Jean, of Cambridge and Tom Sughroue and his special friend, Mary Vrbas, of Culbertson; sister, Nellie Ryan of Cambridge; sister-in-law, Marge Sughroue of Omaha; 20 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of relatives and friends.

Memorials may be given in his name to the Indianola American Legion Mathias Colling Post No. 344.

Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, from 1-5 p.m. at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home in McCook. Friends may go online at to extend condolences to the family.

Rosary will be recited Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, at 7 p.m. at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Indianola. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012, 10 a.m. at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Indianola with Father Thomas McGuire as Celebrant. Burial will follow at the St. Catherine's Cemetery with Military Honors.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook is in charge of the arrangements.