James "Jim" J. Novacek

James "Jim" J. Novacek, 70, of Cedar Rapids, NE, passed away following a brief illness on Sunday, September 20, 2020 at Creighton University Medical Center-Bergan Mercy in Omaha, NE.

Graveside services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 25, 2020 at St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, NE with Fr. Jim Heithoff officiating. Social distancing and current Covid-19 DHM's will be followed at the cemetery, and masks will be required.

There will be a video of Jim's service on this page Friday afternoon, following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

Levander Funeral Home of Cedar Rapids, NE is in charge of the arrangements.

James Joseph Novacek, son of Joseph and Anastasia (Jarosz) Novacek was born on July 31, 1950 at Cedar Rapids, NE.  He attended grade school at St. Anthony's Catholic School in Cedar Rapids thru the 8 ^th grade and graduated from Cedar Rapids High School in 1968.

Jim married Jodi (McIntyre) Douthit in April of 1976.  To this union Jim had two sons.  Shawn (Jodi's son from a previous marriage) whom Jim adopted at the age of five and Tim who was born to this union in July of 1978. The couple later divorced.

Jim's life was cattle and farming.  He dedicated his entire life to the farm and ranching.  In what free time there was, Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gambling trips with his family and friends.  He also loved to play cards with the guys.

In 2013 after many years of single life, through mutual friends, Jim met the love of his life and best friend Deb (Hanssen) Thuernagle.  They were married on June 26, 2020 in Grand Island, NE. Deb and Jim had so many hopes and dreams of their future together.  It just was not meant to be.  But their seven years of courtship, brought them both many, many great lasting memories and friendships.

Jim is survived by his wife Deb of Cedar Rapids, NE; two sons: Shawn Novacek of Cedar Rapids, NE; Tim (Ashly Cortez-Garcia) Novacek of Hastings, NE; three stepdaughters: Tammie (Hector) Centeno of Omaha, NE; Brandy Thuernagle of Norfolk, NE; Jamie (Ken Mond) Thuernagle of Pensacola, FL; grandchildren: Jaycee Stupka and Bennett Novacek; step-granddaughters: Taylor and Jaiden Centeno, and McKenna Thuernagle; siblings: Marian (Earl) Epps of Myrtle Creek, OR; Marge (Alan Kohles) Polenz of Bellevue, NE; Bobbi Lanza of San Leandro, CA; Ed (Joan) Novacek of Cedar Rapids, NE; Mike (Joan) Novacek of Primrose, NE; and Patti (Chris) Bird of Bennington, NE; along with many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and many, many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joe and Anastasia Novacek; father-in-law John Hanssen; brothers-in-law: Jerry Lanza and Dick Polenz.