James O. Kjosa

With great sadness, Jim Kjosa’s family announces his passing on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at the age of 80, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. We take comfort in knowing he is watching over us from heaven.

Jim was born on December 11, 1945, in Webster, South Dakota, the youngest of Orlando and Arline Kjosa’s three children. He grew up on the family farm in Lily, South Dakota, before moving to Sioux Falls with his parents as a teenager and graduating from Washington High School. He later moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where he met the love of his life, Jan, at a party. They were married in Breda, Iowa, on April 29, 1967.

Jim was drafted into the Army in June 1967 and completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, followed by advanced training at Fort Benning, Georgia. After training, he was assigned to a 9th Division Infantry Battalion in South Vietnam, about 20 miles south of Saigon. Trained as a field radio mechanic, his primary duties were supplying radio batteries to infantry troops and standing perimeter guard at the base camp. In August 1968, he broke his ankle and was sent to Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Denver, Colorado. He was discharged from the hospital and released from active duty in January 1969.

After four years as a civilian and the birth of two children, Jim joined the active Army Reserve. He valued the camaraderie of fellow Vietnam veterans who also served in the reserves. During his Reserve career, he served as a clerk, operations sergeant, First Sergeant, and Command Sergeant Major. He retired in 1995 after more than 22 years of active Army Reserve duty.

Jim joined Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter 279 in 1991, serving one year as president and about 20 years as treasurer. He also served several years as treasurer of the Nebraska VVA State Council.

While working full time as an accountant at Union Pacific Railroad and serving in the Army Reserves, Jim attended night classes at the University of Nebraska Omaha. He graduated in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in general studies. During that busy period, he also coached his children’s sports teams and participated with their YMCA programs. He would often be found napping in his chair, which he called his “pre-sleep”.

Jim enjoyed reading, playing cards, golfing, woodworking, watching his grandchildren play sports, watching westerns and sports, and meeting regularly with fellow retired reservists and Union Pacific coworkers for brunch. He also shared words of wisdom with his children, often saying, “Do as I say, not as I have done!”

Jim will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 59 years, Jan; his children, Renee (Troy) and Jeff (Lourdes); and his grandchildren, Evan, Riley, and Drew. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Joyce; nieces and nephews Bryan, Sandra, Brad, Brent, Marty, Terry, Tammy, Joe, and Frankie; and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Wesley; his sister, Dixie, and her husband, Gene; his sister-in-law, Patricia Greving; his brother-in-law, Robert Rath; and his parents-in-law, Albert and Marian Berning. 

VISITATION: Tuesday, July 28, 2026 from 5:00 – 7:00pm at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church (16701 S. St.)

FUNERAL MASS: Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at 10:30am at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church (16701 S. St.)

GRAVESIDE SERVICE: Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at 2:30PM at Omaha National Cemetery.

Braman Mortuary & Cremation Services (6505 S. 144 St. Omaha, NE 68137 / 402-895-3400)