BIXENMANN, James A.

James A. "Jim" Bixenmann, 81, of Grand Island died Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2005, at St. Francis Medical Center. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Blessed Sacrament Church. The Rev. Francis T. Curran will officiate. Burial will be in the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery at Grand Island. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the church, with a Scripture wake service at 7. Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home in Grand Island is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Bixenmann was born Oct. 2, 1924, at Grand Island to John A. and Armilta (Carl) Bixenmann. Survivors of the immediate family include his wife, Irene Bixenmann; three sons and daughters-in-law, Gary and Eva Bixenmann and Jim Jr. and Cathy Bixenmann, all of Grand Island, and Dave and Mary Bixenmann of Aurora, Colo.; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Linda and Bob Gruntorad of Arvada, Colo., Kathi and Dave Kurz of Palmer and Mary O'Brien of Denver; two sisters, Mary Decker of Security, Colo., and Jeanette Sears of Secor, Ill.; and two brothers, Joseph Bixenmann of Grand Island and Leo Bixenmann of Las Vegas. Additional survivors include 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Jim grew up in Grand Island and attended St. Mary's grade and high school. He married Irene Woznick on June 23, 1956, at Grand Island. After completion of high school, he worked at the Fairmont Creamery and Kelly Well & Supply until he went to work with his dad to learn the painting trade. After his dad retired, he and his brother, John, took over the business until 1973, when he went to work for the Grand Island school system as head painter. He retired in 1990. He was a member of the Platte-Duetsche club. He was also a fan of Husker football. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, two sisters and two brothers.