James Robert Huggenberger, 90, of Emerson, NE, died peacefully in his sleep of natural causes at the Pender Hospital on Tuesday, July 28th, 2026.

James was born in the middle of a blizzard, on the family farm, January 16th, 1936, to Sam and Edna Huggenberger. He spent his childhood and teenage years running around rural Emerson with his four siblings and friends. There were rumors of hunting on the way to school and giving the nuns the kill, causing a raucous in his Jeep on the roads and hopping a train or two for a quick ride to town. The Stone Arch saw more than its share of his adventures.

He attended Sacred Heart School until he met Patricia Hedrick, of Homer and were married on September 5, 1953. Their love story took them on adventures of a life in both California and Nebraska with their growing family. James could entertain you for hours retelling the stories of these years ranging from taking piloting lessons, driving a bread delivery truck, driving a 7-up truck and dreaming of trying out for a NFL open call. When they finally settled in Nebraska, he rebuilt his family home on the homestead and began his farming life.

He enjoyed being an active member of the Knights of Columbus and serving three terms as a Dakota County Commissioner. The best and longest story he ever told was about the time he was cast in an award winning Bud Light commercial for the 1984 Olympics. His one line "Suppose that’s them?” will stay in our minds forever. This experience brought so much joy to him and his family still to this day.

James and Patricia created a family legacy that surpassed even their wildest dreams. They were so proud to have 12 children, 35 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

After Patricia passed from Alzheimer's in 2006, James married Bonnie Barnett on March 21, 2007. They filled their retirement days between condo living in Carlsbad, CA and Emerson, NE. They enjoyed lots of travel, golf and time with family and friends. After Bonnie passed away in 2020, James settled in for his last years in Nebraska. He could be found daily in prayer at his kitchen table, reading westerns, playing sudoku and watching movies. He treasured retelling stories to all of his friends and family.

James is survived by his children Steve (Karen) Huggenberger, Jaymi Kyte, Shellee Huggenberger (DIL), Doug (Ginger) Huggenberger, Chris (Dave) Mahler, Traci (Ron) Bodlak, Cindi Stolze, Mary Huggenberger (DIL), Joe (Shelli) Huggenberger, Terri Huggenberger, Paul (Galy) Huggenberger, Toni (Dustin) Berrie, and his 87 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, sisters Colleen McClara and Maxine (Roger) VanKlompenburg, many many nieces and nephews and countless friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Edna; siblings and their spouses, Marlene and Bill VanLent and Harvey and Jean Huggenberger; wives, Patricia and Bonnie; sons, Patrick and Robert; grandchildren, Sarah and Jon and great-grandchild Marlee.