James "Jim" T. Aegerter

James “Jim” Ted Aegerter was born September 21, 1952 to Theodore “Ted” and Phyllis (Beckman) Aegerter in Seward, Nebraska. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. He attended Seward High School, graduating in 1971, and then attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He moved to Byers, Colorado where he served as herdsman for the Schuman Ranch, one of the largest Shorthorn cattle ranches at that time. He returned to Seward in 1973 and began working at Engler Clothing and continued to maintain his father’s Shorthorn cattle herd. He was united in marriage to Debby Schaefer on May 31, 1975. They would have celebrated 50 years of marriage this May. In 1985, he and his wife purchased Engler Clothing and renamed it Jim’s Clothing. They worked side by side until 1991. Jim then began a new career in the trucking industry, initially working for Husker Express in Seward and then Crete Carrier Corporation in Lincoln until his retirement in 2017. Jim had many passions that he finally had time to enjoy. He loved his time at their cabin on Willow Bend Lake near Central City. Here, he spent countless hours perfecting their yard and beach. He taught his kids how to water ski and loved to pull them with the boat around the lake. He and Debby enjoyed their time at the lake and hanging out with their cabin neighbors, taking golf cart rides, and tipping back a Silver Bullet or two. If you ever visited Jim at their acreage North of Seward, it was immediately evident how much pride he took in his home, yard and landscape. Rarely was there a blade of grass out of place and their landscape was beautiful. He was most proud of his kids and his granddaughter. When his daughter was working for the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben, he never missed a show. When his son began his work as a meteorologist at the National Weather Service, he couldn’t wait to brag about his success. Jim enjoyed his granddaughter’s ballgames, music programs and dance recitals, but he was over the moon when she began following in his footsteps as a gifted equestrian. He rarely missed a barrel race and lit up when he would watch her run. Jim has friends from across the country, but one group of individuals that would become life-long friends are the members of the Directors of the National Junior Shorthorn Association. Jim was elected to the first board in 1969 and served a three year term. He was honored to serve as part of this history making group.  Spending weekends and long weeks at various Nebraska lakes was one of his highlights each summer. One of those lakes was Johnson Lake, lovingly referred to as J-Lake. The “J-Lake Crew” is made up of some of Jim’s closest friends and family members. He had a love for his family and a special place in his heart for his animals. He showed several champion steers including DJ, Champion steer at the 1970 Nebraska State Fair, Swede, Champion Steer at the1965 Chicago International Livestock Show and a host of others. His beloved Shetland Pony, Gun Smoke and Buckskin Quarter Horse, King, molded him into an incredible horseman. Thanks to his kids, Jim had four dogs and 2 names; his Australian Shepherd, Angel #2, traveled everywhere with him. Jim’s circle of friends is large and each one of them, in every stage of his life, were important. He had a gift for making friends wherever he went—and keeping them. From his childhood best friend who, in a poetic twist, became his brother-in-law, to his high school buddies, cattle and horse friends, and everyone in between, he never forgot the people who shaped his life, and they never forgot him. Jim was a hard working, caring and loving man.  His attention to detail was impeccable and he leaves behind a great legacy because of the man he was. Jim passed away on April 19, 2025 in Seward, Nebraska at the age of 72 years, 6 months and 29 days. He is survived by his wife Debby, daughter Christy (Derek) Farnstrom, Hebron, Nebraska, son, Clint (Taylor) Aegerter, Omaha, Nebraska; granddaughter, Riley Farnstrom, Hebron, Nebraska. Sisters, Pam (Mark) Bronson, Fort Worth, Texas, Kay (Mike) Hartman, Tecumseh, Nebraska. Brother, Jeff (Darla) Aegerter, Seward, Nebraska. Father-in-law, John (Jane) Schaefer, Seward, Nebraska. Aunt, Betty Aegerter, Seward, Nebraska. Also celebrating his memory are many cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends. Jim was preceded in death by his parents Phyllis and Ted, his mother-in-law, Joan Schaefer, step mother-in-law, Lee (Hall) Schaefer, brother-in-law, Mike Schaefer, niece, Leslie Schaefer. He was also greeted in heaven by his uncles and aunts, Harold (Ruthie), Arden (Betty Jane), Mervin (Jane), Gene (Delores), and Jack Aegerter, Don (Alvina) and Leon Beckman, as well as special friends, Bob and Willa Freeland and a host of other family and friends.

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