Arthur 'Jim' James Semotan

Hastings resident, Arthur Jim James Semotan Jr., 87, passed away Wednesday, October 20, 2010 at the Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital, Hastings, NE. Memorial service will be Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 11 AM at the First St. Pauls Lutheran Church, Hastings, NE, with the Rev. Joel Remmers officiating. Family burial will be in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings, NE with military rites. Visitation will be Thursday, October, 21, 2010 from 5 PM to 9 PM and Friday, October 22, 2010 from 9 AM to 9 PM with the family present from 6 PM to 7 PM at the Brand-Wilson Funeral Home, Hastings, NE. Condolences may be sent to the family from www.brandwilson.com. Jim was born June 25, 1923, to Arthur James Sr. and Pearl (Will) Semotan in Chicago, IL. He was baptized July 17, 1923 in a Lutheran Church in Chicago, IL. His family moved to Hastings, NE in 1938 as his father was associated with Dutton Lainson at the time. Jim was active in Hastings High School sports and was on the first Legion Team to play in the new Duncan Field. He graduated from Hastings High School in 1941 and attended college for a year. He served in the United States Air Force, from July 22, 1942 to November 20, 1945; as a liaison pilot until that program was abolished. He then went into the United States Army from November 21, 1945 to May 21, 1947 and spent several years overseas. His last six months in service he was a recruiting Sergeant and several Hastings men joined the Army through him. After discharge he entered college and graduated from Hastings College June 1950. Jim married Dona G. Putz August 17, 1949 they had two sons, she passed away in 1972. In 1975 Jim married Neva (Schnase) Lashley and together they became a family with five sons. During the years he was employed with the J.M. McDonald Company and then later Dutton Lainson until his retirement. After his retirement he worked part-time with RSVP for 16 years. He was a member of the First St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Hastings, NE. He was a life member of the Elks #159 and was a past Exalted Ruler. He was also a life member of the VFW, a member of the American Legion and the 40-8 Organization which was also associated with the Legion. He is survived by his wife Neva of Hastings, NE, four sons, Jim Semotan and wife Ann of Raleigh, NC, Timothy Semotan and wife Chae of Denver, CO, Michael Lashley and wife Jackie of North Platte, NE, and Joe Lashley and wife Cheryl of North Platte, NE, and one daughter-in-law, Nancy Lashley of Stapleton, NE, 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Dona, a son, Patrick Lashley a sister, Rosemary Hoagland, and a brother, Bill Semotan. Memorials may be given to the First St. Pauls Lutheran Church or the Duncan Field Restoration Project.