James R. Szymanski

James (Jim) Robert Szymanski, a resident of Bellevue, Nebraska, passed away November 9, 2019. Jim is survived by his wife, Eva (Schroeder); his children, Terri (Mike) Delforge of Bellevue, Nebraska, Tara (Jesse) Bird of Bellevue, Nebraska; his brother, Edward (Nancy) Szymanski of Rhinelander, Wisconsin; sister, Juli (Dan) Dupras of Gwinn, Michigan; grandchildren, Isabella Delforge(special friend, Taylor Bonnstetter), Gabrielle Delforge, Olivia Delforge, Eva Bird, Mason Bird, and Emerson Bird; nieces and nephews, Renee (Ted) Ison, Shelly Vollmar (Curt Kindschuh), Jim (Tammie) Szymanski and Erik Van Langendon, as well as his beloved Labrador retrievers, Shadow and Silhouette.He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Alice Szymanski, and nephew, Jesse Van Langendon. Jim was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin to Edward and Alice Szymanski.He graduated from Green Bay Southwest. He married Eva, his high school sweetheart shortly after graduation.Jim enlisted in the United States Army, proudly serving two combat tours in Vietnam.Army assignments included Fort Wainwright, Alaska and Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.After his Army service, Jim and Eva returned to Wisconsin to settle down and start a family.They called several areas home, including Denmark, Niagara, Pulaski and Rhinelander.He worked in the transportation industry, working for Ryder at the time of his retirement. First and foremost, Jim was a loving husband, father and grandfather; treasuring each and every moment with his grandchildren.To say that Jim was an avid outdoorsman would be an understatement.He loved fishing and hunting, and often shared those stories with family.He loved to laugh and entertain those around him.Jim was incredibly proud of his military service, and was deeply honored to have been chosen to be part of the 2016 Vietnam Combat Veteran Honor Flight.Jim also had amazing artistic abilities, expressing himself through wood carvings and paintings. The family wishes to thank Bellevue Medical Center Emergency Department, Bellevue Medical Center 3rd Floor staff, and the staff of St. Croix Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to ask that you kindly consider a donation to the Bellevue, Nebraska VFW Post 10727, as Jim was a proud lifetime member.