Born on April 28, 1930 in Wayne, NE to Ben and Mary (Pein) Nissen. Jim grew up on the family farm, attended country school, and graduated from Wayne High School. He was active in many sports and clubs in high school and worked on the farm. He graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and the American Institute of Banking. While attending the university he married his high school sweetheart, Virginia “Ginger” Ley Hein, on July 20, 1952. They were married over 71 years. Jim was commissioned as Second Lieutenant to active duty in the US Army in 1954 and eventually served as finance and accounting officer, achieving the rank of Captain. He resigned his commission from the Army Reserves in 1962.
Jim was a life-long Lincoln banker whose career spanned 6 decades. Before he retired from Wells Fargo Bank in 2009, he served as President and CEO of National Bank of Commerce and Vistar Bank, and served on the State Nebraska Bank and Trust board in Wayne, NE. He served as president of the Nebraska Bankers Association, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, and Bryan Memorial Hospital Foundation. Jim was a trusted and devoted community volunteer including as president and trustee. Organizations included Lancaster County American Red Cross, United Way, Lincoln Foundation, Bryan Memorial Hospital, Wayne State College Foundation, University of Nebraska Foundation, and Nebraska Wesleyan.
Jim loved God, his family, and his community. He was a longtime member of Westminster Presbyterian Church where he actively served on the church foundation as trustee and President, as well as a church elder, deacon, and usher. One of his biggest passions was the wellbeing of his family. He was especially dedicated to the graduate and postgraduate education of his grandchildren. He and Ginger traveled extensively to attend their school and sporting events, with visits even to those studying abroad.
Jim was an avid gardener and antique collector. He loved being outside tending to his gardens, as well as planting and caring for trees. He enjoyed sharing produce from his vegetable garden with family and friends. He was a longtime husker fan sharing tickets with many.
Family members include children Rege (Linda) Nissen, Jeff (Sue) Nissen, Joy (Matt) Wimmer, and Tim (Pam) Nissen; 10 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren; sister Evelyn Eipperle; nieces, nephews, and cousins. Preceded in death by his parents, wife Ginger, three sisters, 4 brothers-in-law, daughter-in-law Judy Nissen, and granddaughter, Katie Nissen,
Celebration gathering with family present: 5-7 pm, Sunday, August 25, 2024, Roper and Sons South Lincoln Chapel, 3950 Hohensee Drive.
Celebration of Life Service: 10:00 am Monday, August 26, 2024, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2110 Sheridan Blvd, Lincoln, NE.
Public Inurnment: 3:30 pm, Monday August 26, 2024, Greenwood Cemetery, 612 W. 7th Street, Wayne, NE.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Westminster Presbyterian Church Foundation, 2110 Sheridan Blvd, Lincoln, NE, or Bryan Foundation, Nissen Scholarship – Bryan Nursing Student, 1600 South 48th Street, Lincoln, NE, or Nebraska Statewide Arboretum Endowment Fund, PO box 830964, Lincoln, NE.