Funeral Services For James Loutzenhiser

Funeral Services for James Loutzenhiser, age 91, of O’Neill, will be at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, January 21, 2017, at the Word of Life Church in O’Neill.  Burial will be in the O’Neill Cemetery with Military Rites conducted by the O’Neill American Legion Simonson Post #93.  

Pastors Dwight Sandoz and Mike Durre will officiate these services. Music will be provided by the Loutzenhiser family. Pallbearers will be James III, Matthew, Christopher, Daniel, Joel Jr, Jonathan, Timothy, Atalie Loutzenhiser and Alicia Cox.  

Visitation will be Friday, January 20, 2017, from 5-8 P.M., with a 7:00 P.M. Prayer Service at Biglin’s Mortuary in O’Neill.  

James passed away Tuesday, January 17, 2017, at Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital in O’Neill.  

Memorials may be directed to Word of Life Christian Center.

James “Jim” was born September 22, 1925 in Hackensack, Minnesota to Pardon C. and Cora (La Velle) Loutzenhiser. During the Depression, his family moved often to find work. He attended grade school in Nebraska and South Dakota. He quit school at age 15 when his father passed away and then joined the work force traveling to Oregon.

At 17, he joined the army wanting to fight on the front lines of World War II. Jim was a part of the 32nd Red Arrow Infantry Division serving on the islands, Leyte and Luzon, in the Philippines. He served in several campaigns on the front lines.

Jim was honorably discharged in 1945, returning to Minatare, NE where he met Evelyn Jensen. They were married Sept. 1, 1946 in Minatare. To this union 4 sons and 2 daughters were born.

The couple moved to Waxahachie, TX where Jim got his G.E.D. and entered Southwestern Bible College where he studied for the ministry. He graduated in 1953 with his Bachelor of Science Degree in Pastoral Ministry fulfilling his promise to God, during the war, to serve Him.

After graduation, Jim pastored in Texas and returned to Nebraska where he pastored Assembly of God churches in Gordon, Stapleton, Taylor, and O’Neill. Pastor Jim was actively involved in youth ministries, camp activities, and missions. He was on the first Assembly of God MAPS missionary construction trips in the Bahamas followed by other projects in Honduras. In O’Neill, Pastor Jim was known in the community for his Word of Life Broadcast that originated from his home and was aired on KBRX radio station.

In 1976, Pastor Loutzenhiser, along with his family, built and started the World of Life Christian Center.

In 1980, Word of Life Christian School was started where many children were ministered to through pre-school, grade school, and high school education.

James was also a builder, forming Loutzenhiser Construction involving his sons. They built many homes in the communities they lived in, but His greatest accomplishment was building the church and Christian school. James loved teaching the Word of God, especially about the coming again of Jesus.

He also loved building and working with his hands. He had a love for life, loving on all he met and wanting to be sure they knew Jesus as their Savior. Everyone remembers him for his hearty laugh, his energetic ambitious spirit, and his outgoing personality.

James is survived by four sons Jim Jr. (Janice), Marc, Joel (Jeanine), all of O’Neill, Timothy (Linda) of Branson, MO; nine grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

​He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Evelyn, daughters Rhonda and Patricia, brother Pardon, and sisters Belle, June, and Eunice, granddaughter in-law Kimberlee, and great grandson Jack.

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