James "Jim" R. Messerer

James “Jim” R. Messerer, 78, of Axtell, passed away on Friday, January 19, 2024 at Community Memorial Health Center in Burwell. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at First Presbyterian Church in Axtell with Pastor Logan Ellis and Pastor Gale Dorn officiating. The service will be streamed to the church’s YouTube page. Private family inurnment will be held prior to services at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Axtell. A memorial book signing will be held on Monday, January 29, 2024 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Axtell. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jim’s honor are kindly suggested to the First Presbyterian Church in Axtell or the Axtell Fire Department. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden. James (Jim) Ray Messerer was born on September 29, 1945, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, to Clarence and Marguarite (Crawford) Messerer. He graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 1963. While attending Gates Business College, Jim was drafted into the army where he served in Vietnam. After being honorably discharged from the army, Jim returned to Iowa and eventually managed Valley Park Lanes in Cedar Falls. Bowling was a passion of Jim’s for much of his life and he was very good at it, bowling a 715 series at the age of 16. Jim met Donna Marie Sharp and the two were united in marriage on May 13, 1972, and to this union two daughters were born: Jenny and Teri. In 1977, they moved to Cairo, Nebraska, where they owned and operated Cairo Bowl. In 1985, Jim joined the postal service, serving as a clerk in Cairo and then the OIC in Palmer. Jim and Donna then moved their family to Axtell where Jim served the community as Postmaster for 23 years before retiring. Jim was an active member of the Lion’s Club and the Axtell Area Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, NAPUS, and the Retired Postmasters. He enjoyed helping Donna with the schedule for the Women’s State Tournament when she served as director. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of over 51 years, Donna, of Axtell, and his daughters Jenny Messerer of Hastings, and Teri (Todd) Mohrmann of David City. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Marguarite Messerer, his in-laws, Wayne and Lois Sharp, and other relatives. Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com.

James "Jim" R. Messerer

September 29, 1945 - January 19, 2024