James Joseph ‘Jim’ Bezemek (1925-2019)

James Joseph ‘Jim’ Bezemek, 94, died Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019 in Ellsworth. He was born April 22, 1925, on his grandfather’s family farm homestead in Ellsworth County, Kan. to Joseph and Agnes (Benes) Bezemek. He graduated eighth grade from Oxide Country School number 40 and Lorraine High School in 1943.
Jim was a World War II U.S. Army veteran serving in the 79th Infantry Division in Europe, including the Normandy Invasion at Utah Beach in June 1944, and the liberation of the concentration camp at Buchenwald in 1945. After his discharge from the Army, he returned to farming. 
He was a life member of the Ellsworth VFW Post 6485 and the Ellsworth American Legion Post 174.
Jim retired after 37 years with the Ellsworth County Highway Department as a heavy equipment operator. He was a member of the Ellsworth Masonic Lodge, York Rite, Scottish Rite, and Salina Isis Shrine. He enjoyed farming, gardening, woodworking, and traveling, especially to 79th Division Army reunions and VFW National Conventions.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Anna J. Bezemek and Blanche Hammond. 
He is survived by brothers, George Bezemek of Ellsworth and Ludwig Bezemek (Martha) of El Paso, Texas; sisters, Mary Clark of Salina, Ella Erskine of Raleigh, N.C., and Rosalind Jarrett of Eagan, Minn.; and numerous nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
Visitation is from 1-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9 at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth. Family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m.
The funeral service is at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Parsons Funeral Home with burial following in Ellsworth Cemetery with military honors provided by the U.S. Army and Ellsworth VFW and American Legion.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ellsworth VFW Post 6485 or Ellsworth Masonic Lodge No. 146, in care of Parsons Funeral Home, Box 45, Ellsworth, Kan. 67439.
Condolences may be left at parsonsfh.com