Michael James "Jim" Kraftzik

Hastings resident Michael James “Jim” Kraftzik, 71, passed away Monday, January 13, 2025, at Perkins Pavilion Good Samaritan Society-Hastings Village, Hastings, NE 

Rosary will be at 10 a.m. and Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 17, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Hastings with Father Scott Nemec officiating. Burial will be at Assumption Cemetery in Assumption. Visitation will be 3-7 p.m. with the family present 5-7 p.m. Thursday, January 16, at the funeral home, and one hour before the service at the church. Memorials may be given to St. Cecilia Catholic Schools Foundation, Start Over Rover, or United Way of South Central Nebraska. The service will be live-streamed on Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home’s website. To view the service, go to Jim’s obituary and click the play button shown towards the bottom of the page. 

Jim was born July 24, 1953, in Hastings, NE to Erwin and Ingeburg (Horche) Kraftzik. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Hastings. Jim graduated from Hastings High School in 1971. He married Nancy Velder on June 28, 1975, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church.

Over the years Jim worked for the Dutton Lainson Company, Pettit Auto and for 29 years at Hastings Utilities before retiring in 2019. He was a past member of Southern Hills Golf Course. 

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ray & Carol Velder.

SURVIVORS:
Wife:
    Nancy Kraftzik – Hastings, NE
Sister & Spouse:
    Karin & John Hill – Red Cloud, NE
Brother-in-law & Spouse:
    Bill & Ellen Velder – Hastings, NE
Nephews, Spouses & families:
    Scott & Amanda Uhrich 
        Kali Jo & Shawn Kuchera 
        Kiara Uhrich 
        Kassidy Uhrich
    Shawn Uhrich
        Tanner Uhrich
        Max Uhrich 
        Eli Uhrich 
        Quayde Uhrich
    Jordan Parr
Nieces, Spouses & families:
    Amanda & Jamie Rohrig
        Carter Rohrig
        McKinley Rohrig
    Tara & Craig Callahan
    Ashley Farrell & Fiancé Matt Martin
        Micah Farrell
        Pierson Farrell
Great-Great-Nieces & Nephews:
    2
Many Cousins, extended family, and numerous friends