James William Kurzak was born on September 9, 1934 in Sioux City, Iowa to William and Ann Kurzak. Along with his sisters Phyllis and Betty, he grew up in a largely Polish Catholic neighborhood and was taught early on to get an education and work hard. Jim spoke often of his gratitude for the support of his family and community who provided him with the opportunity to go to college.

He graduated from Creighton University in 1956 with a degree in Accounting. He would go on to work for Arthur Anderson & Co., The Cudahy Packing Company, and Concrete Pipe Machinery Co. before taking management roles with the Sisters of Mercy. He was affiliated with the Sisters of Mercy for nearly 20 years, becoming the President and CEO of the Health System of Mercy.  Jim finished his career by forming the Catholic Health Corporation in 1980, a health network of eight religious orders and their individually sponsored hospitals. He retired from his position of President and CEO of Catholic Health Corporation in 1987 to do consulting work and play a lot of golf.  

Jim married Virginia Anne O'Leary in Omaha, Nebraska on January 30, 1965. Jim knew he wanted to marry Virginia after two months of dating. On their beautiful wedding day, the only sadness they experienced was knowing they could no longer be members of the La Salle Club. They met through this Catholic singles’ social club where Jim planned the parties as the club’s Vice President.

They had four girls: Kathleen, Anne, Mary Beth, and Laura (stillborn). They were partners in creating a loving family while bringing their different skill sets and senses of humor to the effort. Jim and Virginia spent most of their 60 years together in their Omaha home on 130th Street. They welcomed people into their home easily, whether it was kids playing pinball in the basement, friends over for bridge, or extended family on a holiday or for a baby shower. Jim and Virginia sold their Omaha home and moved permanently to their condominium in Olathe, Kansas in 2020. Jim took care of Virginia in the comfort of their own home until she preceded him in death on November 13, 2024. He did not fear death, relying on his faith in God that he would be reunited with Virginia again.

Jim was a big believer in mentorship and mentored many in his personal and professional life. He taught his girls many things from how to be financially independent to how to sink a putt. He enjoyed dropping nuggets of advice and insight into conversations with his seven grandchildren.

Jim was always thinking about how to best solve a problem. Sometimes that resulted in heated debates on world issues. Other times that resulted in fixing the driveway cracks with mismatched caulk in a way that made Virginia sigh with resignation (but did the job!).

Jim encouraged those around him that they could always do a little bit more for themselves and for their community.  He wasn’t ever complacent. He was known for starting the day with a deck of cards and a few games of solitaire to get his brain going, and he was always setting challenges and goals for himself and others. He amassed quite a collection of Senior Olympics medals for golf and track and field in his 70’s and early 80’s. Until the end, he kept his competitive edge by turning off the lights and not running the air conditioning to maintain his status as running the most energy efficient house in his neighborhood (according to the utility company).

We rejoice in knowing he is with the Lord, his wife, Virginia and their infant daughter, Laura, as well as his parents, William and Ann Kurzak. He is survived by his daughters Kathleen Kaufman (Pat Kaufman), Anne Morrissey (Jason Morrissey), and Mary Beth Kurzak (Steve Smith) as well as seven grandchildren - Brian Kaufman, Emily Kaufman, Christan Kaufman (Emily Kaufman), Olivia Kaufman, Jack Morrissey, Connor Morrissey, and Elizabeth Morrissey - and great granddaughter Elaine Kaufman. He is also survived by his two sisters Phyllis Book and Betty Sholl and their families.

In high school, a skinny Jim was bullied by the basketball team’s center. Jim responded by telling the jock, “You don’t know who you are dealing with – they call me Killer Kurzak.” Godspeed, Killer. You were a force and will be missed.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 5th, beginning with a visitation at 9:30 AM, followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM at St. Robert Bellarmine Church, 11802 Pacific St., Omaha, NE 68154. Inurnment will be in Calvary Cemetery immediately following the funeral, followed by lunch at the Mainelli Center at St. Robert’s.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Robert Bellarmine Church, Omaha, NE or Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Overland Park, KS.

Please visit www.stroberts.com/churchstream  to view a broadcasting of the Mass.