Jimmy Lee Hilzendeger

Jimmy Lee Hilzendeger December 29,1959-February 6, 2025 With profound sadness, we share the passing of our beloved remarkable, courageous, strong- willed, fearless, devoted husband, father, grandpa, son-in-law, brother, and uncle. He passed away peacefully on February 6, 2025, at Methodist Hospital in Omaha, surrounded by his loving family. Jim was born to Joseph D Hilzendeger and Donna M Hilzendeger (Heaney) in Lincoln, NE on December 29, 1959. At the age of seven, the family moved to Omaha, where he grew up and graduated from Westside High School in 1978. Jim was an avid athlete throughout his school years. He had a passion for drag racing, often working on his 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS and traveling with his brother Joey and friends to race. He also had a love for music, playing drums, and even performing in a band for a brief time. Jim dedicated many years to working as a private investigator for a family-owned firm in Omaha, tirelessly traveling and rescuing individuals from difficult situations. He later transitioned into executive recruiting, spending several years in the field before becoming the Director of Recruitment for Heartland Co-Op of Iowa (formerly United Western Co-Op) in 2009. This year, he was looking forward to retirement. In 1980, Jim married Kathleen Whelan, and his deep love for fatherhood became evident with the birth of their son, Douglas, in 1988. In 1996, Jim married Tammy Hilzendeger (Schmidt), his devoted wife of 28 years. Together, they welcomed two more sons, Trenton born in 1997, and Brant born in 2002. They built their dream home on 10 acres in the countryside northwest of Omaha, where they have lived since 1998. There, Jim poured his heart into creating a beautiful life, one he took immense pride in. Nothing was more important to Jim than his family and pets. He shared a special bond with his three wonderful sons, whom he lovingly raised. Jim passed down his unwavering values of family, morality, and integrity to each of his sons. Jim cherished Nebraska Husker football and treasured family gatherings, camping, birthdays, and holidays, especially Thanksgiving. Every year, he proudly prepared the turkey and stuffing just as his mother had taught him. He believed every family member deserved a special celebration on their birthday and made sure no one was ever overlooked. Even his beloved puppies had their own birthday celebrations, as he saw them not as pets, but as part of the family. Jim is survived by his wife Tammy, sons Douglas (Melody), Trenton (Jill Brisky), Brant (McKenna Greenwell), grandsons Hunter and Dominiq, puppy Koda, brother Andrew/Bub (Patti) Edwards, Sister Andrea (Edwards) Debus, mother-in-law Darlene Schmidt, brothers-in-law Brady (Shannon) Schmidt and Troy (Shelley) Schmidt, and several nieces and nephews. Jim is preceded in death by his mother, Donna, his father, Joseph, his brother, Joey, his brother- in-law, Ronald Debus, his father-in-law, James Schmidt, and his beloved pets throughout his life. A service to honor Jim will be held at Reichmuth Funeral Home in Elkhorn on Monday, February 17, 2025. Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM, followed by a prayer and sharing service at 1:00 PM. Lunch will be provided afterward. Family and friends are warmly invited to gather, celebrate Jim’s life, and offer their support to his loved ones. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Hilzendeger family or to https://gofund.me/2318ff68 for Jim’s grandson, Hunter, who has been fighting Stat5b since he was 3 years old. Thank you all for your donations.

Jimmy Lee Hilzendeger

December 29, 1959 - February 6, 2025