James Blaine Pettera

James “Jim” Blaine Pettera, age 70, of McCook, Nebraska passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, December 29th, 2023, at the C.L. Werner Cancer Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska after his 11 year battle with multiple myeloma/blood cancer. He was born on December 2, 1953, in McCook, Nebraska to John and Patsy (Drain) Pettera, the third of five children. He grew up on the Pettera family farm near Ludell, Kansas and graduated from Herndon High School with the class of 1972. He married the love of his life, Sandra (Sandi) Boyd on May 14, 1976, in McCook, Nebraska. They lived in town until Jim built their forever home southeast of McCook in 1985.

Jim was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. He was a kindhearted, generous man, who would do anything for his family and friends. Faith and Family was the highest importance to Jim and was his true life’s work. He was a man of integrity who never shied away from hard work.

Jim had many enjoyable times with his wife Sandi. They had many adventures together including cross country trips on his Harley among numerous other trips namely Alaska and Ireland which were a few of his favorites, working together on building their home and bringing endless projects to life, fishing and camping outings, volunteering for various organizations, and most importantly family time, raising a family of 3 daughters.

A true “jack of all trades,” he was able to build anything he set his mind to, fix and understand vehicles of all types, including a 1919 Model T gifted to him by his late Uncle Herman Pettera. Jim operated a successful crude oil trucking business. He developed many lifelong friendships during these years and his drivers thought of him as a mentor and a friend. Jim considered them as his “boys”.

He was a member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church of McCook, Nebraska and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He is preceded in death by his parents John and Patsy and one sister Kathy Larkin.  He is survived by his wife Sandi of McCook, Nebraska daughters: Jami (Dave) Reger of Kalispell, Montana, KyLee (Mike) Kime of Gordon, Nebraska, Danielle (Jason) Warner of Wamego, Kansas, and four grandchildren: James Morris, Beau Warner, Woodrow Warner, and Orin Kime. Brothers Randy (Des) Pettera, John (Becky) Pettera, and sister Mary Jane (Pat) Zogelman. Beloved cousins, nephews, nieces, and many dear friends.