James B. Ankeny

Hartington— James B. Ankeny, 95, Hartington, died Dec. 29, 2020, at the Arbor Care Center, Hartington.

Funeral Services were Jan. 5 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Fordyce, with the Rev. Jim Keiter officiating. Burial was at St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Fordyce, with military rites by the Hartington VFW Post #5283. Visitation was Monday at the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington, and continued Tuesday morning at church, one hour prior to services.

Due to Covid-19, friends and family were encouraged to participate by watching the livestream of the funeral at www.facebook. com/WintzRay/live. Face coverings and social distancing were required for the visitation and funeral.

Pallbearers were Doug Stevens, David Rothluebber, Gene Dickes, Cory Kathol, Marie Kuchta and Ross Kuchta.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington.

James Bisenius Ankeny was born July 12, 1925, on the Ankeny farm in western Cedar County to Earle A. and Elvene F. (Bisenius) Ankeny. In August 1933, the family moved to Los Angeles, Calif. James completed high school in 1941 in Bell, Calif., and continued two years of college in Los Angeles. James served in the Navy U.S. Submarine Corp from 1944-1946. After being discharged from the service, James spent three years attending college and graduated from the University of California at Davis in 1949. After college, James moved back to Nebraska and taught an agriculture course for WWII veterans before starting to farm. James married Alverda Gertrude Meyer Aug. 26, 1953, in Menominee. In 1965, he went to Wayne State and earned a teaching certificate. James taught at Laurel High School from 1965-1967, and at Wausa High School from 1967-1990.

James had a love for baseball and played for the Fordyce and Hartington town teams. He umpired in the Elkhorn Valley league from 1958- 1974. James also coached youth teams in Fordyce, Crofton and on his own ball field in Pleasant Valley.

James is survived by his four children, Kevin (Claudette) Ankeny, Yankton, S.D.; Susan (Noel) Corson, Gulfport, Fla.; Joel Ankeny, Wayne; Jill Ankeny, St. Petersburg, Fla.; six grandchildren, Randy, Aaron and Marie Ankeny, Candice Ankeny, and Lucas and Micah Corson; and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earle and Elvene Ankeny; wife, Alverda, May 4, 2001, at the age of 71; sister, Mauvis Mills, Fullerton, Calif.; brother, Albert Earl Ankeny; nephew, Ken Mills; brothers-in-law, Dale List, Delmar Meyer, Larry Meyer and Dennis Meyer; two greatgrandchildren, and special friend, Margie Kathol.