John "Jack" Reister Kirkwood

Jack Kirkwood was born in Sioux City, Iowa on August 28 1931. He was raised by his mother Wilhelmina “Toots” Kirkwood in a boarding house during the depression and World War II. He graduated from Sioux City Central High School in 1949. Jack joined the Iowa Air National Guard in 1950 and attended the University of South Dakota and Creighton University before being activated during the Korean War. During his service he was stationed at Dow AFB in Bangor, ME; Lowry AFB in Denver, CO; and England AFB in Alexandria, LA. Jack was discharged Honorably in 1952 at the rank of Corporal. While on a two-week leave in 1951, he was engaged to Marilyn Margaret “Frankie” Gilman of Sioux City, IA. They were married on April 19, 1952 at the Dow Air Force Base Chapel in Bangor. After his service they returned to Sioux City and started a family. Jack returned to school under the GI Bill at the University of Iowa, graduating with a Political Science degree in 1954 and earning his law degree in 1957. Jack was a member of the Iowa and Nebraska Bar. He embarked on his professional career with AT&T and Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, serving many management positions in the plant and treasury departments (including a stint as a telephone operator during a labor strike in the late 1960’s). Upon retiring from the phone company, he worked at Creighton University’s Life Long Learning Center and was the Career Planning and Placement Director until his retirement in 1993. His work took him and his family to live in cities across the Midwest including Sioux City, Iowa City, Denver, Kansas City, Springfield (IL), Chicago, Omaha (twice), Des Moines (twice), Fargo and Valley. Jack enjoyed fishing, especially with his uncles in his youth and his sons and grandsons in later years; He was also fond of mushroom hunting, gardening, woodworking and carving; His passion, however, was his art. While he developed word-working skills early in life, he began to draw and paint watercolors in his retirement. He was generous with his art and continued painting until his death. He was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church, the Telephone Pioneers of America, Downtown Omaha Kiwanis, Serra Club and American Legion Post 58 in Valley. He served on the board of the Valley Volunteer Fire Department and was member of the Kearney State College Foundation board. His love of art matured as a founding board member of the Museum of Nebraska Art in Kearney. Jack was preceded in death by his half-brother and dear friend, Don Kirkwood and half-sister Carol Malone. He is survived by five Children: Lynn (Randy) Pettit of Clive, IA; Betsy (Kim) Elder of Paxton, NE; John Kirkwood of Hudson, WI; Mike (Lisa) Kirkwood of Story, WY; Dave (Candi) Kirkwood of Omaha; and Cheryl Hamilton of Hudson, WI. Twelve Grandchildren Ryan (Kelly) Pettit of Crystal Lake, IL; Abbey (Chad) Gilroy of Johnston, IA; Andy (Amanda) Elder of Neligh, NE; Tyler Pettit of Des Moines, IA; Colby (Jenna) Pettit of Clive, IA; Matt (Motika) Elder of North Platte, NE; Katie (Devin) Mueller of Lincoln, NE; Kelsey Kirkwood of Hudson, WI; Jessie (Aaron) Boettger of Denver, CO; Michaela Kirkwood of Hudson, WI; Sydney Kirkwood of Omaha, NE; and Jack Kirkwood of Omaha, NE. Great Grandchildren Taylor and Mason Pettit; Harrison and Nolan Gilroy; Hannah and Ali Elder; Mackenzie and Ava Kate Pettit; Beckett and Blakely Elder. Nieces Kyra, Kirstan, Molly, Melissa. Nephews Cris, Curt, Stan, Rick and Bill. Faith and Family were most important to Jack. He believed that his family is his treasure, but his only attachment is to God. Survived by wife Marilyn “Frankie”; children Lynn and Randy Pettit of Des Moines, IA, Betsy and Kim Elder of Paxton, NE, John Kirkwood of Hudson, WI, Michael and Lisa Kirkwood of Amherst, NE, David and Candi Kirkwood of Omaha and Cheryl Hamilton of Hudson, WI; 12 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; Visitation with family receiving friends Sunday 5 to 7 PM with a rosary at 7 PM at St. John’s Catholic Church in Valley; Mass of Christian Burial Monday 11 AM at St. John’s Catholic Church; Interment Omaha National Cemetery Tuesday at 9 AM; Memorials to the Church or Valley Rescue Squad

John "Jack" Reister Kirkwood

August 28, 1931 - September 12, 2018