James "Jim" R. Varvais

James R. "Jim" Varvais, 73, of South Sioux City, NE passed away on Saturday, May 16, 2015 at a Sioux City hospital. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, May 21, 2015 at the Mohr Funeral Home in South Sioux City, NE. Burial with military rites will be in the Dakota City Cemetery in Dakota City, NE. Visitation with the family present will begin at 5:30 P.M. on Wednesday, May 20, 2015, with a prayer service and Masonic service at 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Jim was born on September 18, 1941 in South Sioux City, NE, the son of Harold and Lavern (Kellogg) Varvais. He graduated from South Sioux City High School in 1960. He served in the U.S. Navy from March 17, 1961 to March 16, 1965, serving on the USS Bon Homme Richard aircraft carrier. After the service, Jim worked as a mechanic at Lobdell Service Station. In 1967 he began working for IBP, where he worked for twenty-four years. Jim married Toby Phelps on July 27, 1968. To this union two sons, James Carl and Timothy Edward were born. In 1991 Jim went to work for Mid American Energy, retiring after eight years. He then owned and operated Jim's Petro Stop for five years. Jim was a member of St. Tho...[more]

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Episcopal Church, the Omadi Lodge #5 AF & AM, the Laura Chapter #301 Order of the Eastern Star and the South Sioux City American Legion Post #307. He was an avid bowler and enjoyed golfing and spending time with his family. Survivors include his wife, Toby Varvais of South Sioux City, NE; sons, James (Renate) Varvais of Dakota City, NE and Timothy (Kristeen) Varvais of South Sioux City, NE; one granddaughter, Courtney; three grandsons, Austin, James and Nicolas; a brother, Rex (Marie) Varvais of California; and several nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Lavern Varvais; and siblings, Loren, Denzil, Yvonne Brower, Vivian Gaskins, Charles, Dale, Barbara, Tom and Caroldean. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to the family for memorial designation to be determined at a later date.