- Date Of Birth: December 4, 1930
- Date Of Death: January 10, 2015
- State: Nebraska
Mr.
Jim was born on December 4, 1930, in Columbus, NE, the son of Walter and Helen (Greiner) Brenneman. He was raised in Columbus and graduated from Columbus High School in 1948.
The following year, Jim enlisted in the Navy. He served on the USS Juneau which was deployed into Korean waters on June 25, 1950. His battery of guns was the first naval rounds ordered to fire during the Korean Conflict. They sank three of the four attacking vessels. He served throughout the Korean War on the USS Juneau. He received his honorable discharge on March 21, 1953 as a Second Class Fire Control Technician.
After his service, Jim returned home. On April 25, 1954, Jim married Cleone Janssen at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Battle Creek. The couple made their home in Norfolk. Jim continued in his previous job as a painting contractor.
In 1962, Jim joined the Norfolk Police Department. In 1969 Jim became the Chief of Police and served in that position for 18 years. Jim retired after 25 years of service to the Norfolk Police Department. He began working at the Norfolk Planning and Community Development Office. Later, he switched to the permits and codes department. He retired in 1995. In 2000, Jim was elected to the Norfolk City Council representing the 3rd Ward. He retired from the council in 2012. Later in that year, Jim was presented with the Edward I. Vrzal Outstanding Citizen Award. This award was special to Jim because Mayor Vrzal appointed him as the Chief of Police.
Jim has been the treasurer for the Orphan Grain Train since its inception. He’s been active in Grace Lutheran Church, where he is a member of the congregations building and restoration committee. He has served on the building and fund raising committees for Lutheran High Northeast, and he served as the vice chairman of the Madison County Diversion Board. He also had the task of assigning 911 addresses to all rural residents in Madison and Stanton counties.
Jim is survived by his wife of nearly 61 years; their children and spousesTom and Lois Brenneman, of Norfolk, Connie and Paul Bichlmeier, of Norfolk, Daniel Brenneman, Gretna, NE, Sherri Aldag and Karen Brenneman, both of Norfolk; nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; one sister, Laura Umphenour, of Beatrice, NE.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and three sisters.
