Jim Santistevan
1948 ~ 2026
LUSK - Jim Santistevan passed away at the age of 77, on March 14, 2026, at Niobrara Community Hospital, after a short battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Prairie Hills Community Center in Lusk. A private family Inurnment will be held at the Lusk Cemetery.
Jim was born in Douglas, to Adelino Santistevan and Phoebe (Powers) Santistevan.
Jim moved to Lusk in the early seventies with his wife, Joy Lynn Butler, and their children, James, Jackie, Randi, and Mike. They divorced, and he later married Cindy Lemons. Jim adopted Chris and raised him as his own son. He owned and operated Hiway Brake and Alignment for 50 years. He was a hard worker and a good father.
In 1995, he married Gail Johnson, and they were married for 30 years.
He was an EMT for the Lusk/Niobrara Ambulance Service for 15 years and served on the Niobrara County Hospital Board for a short time.
Jim liked riding motorcycles, bowling, and working jigsaw puzzles with his wife, Gail. He liked to make people laugh. His favorite saying was “more whiskey”. He loved to play with Callie, the house cat, and his shop cats.
Jim is survived by his sons, James (Cindi) and Mike (Missi); his daughters, Jackie and Randi; and his daughter-in-law, Sheryl. Grandchildren: Noel, Travis, Phillip, Paris, Cassandra (Cass), Megan, Mason, Kristen (James), Kindell, Harlee, Hudson, and Bailey (Ryan). Nineteen great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Alice Gorsuch, brother-in-law Fred Rothleutner, and many nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, son Chris, grandson Dallas, sisters Joy, Mary, and Marge, and brothers Chuck and Lee Gorsuch.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Lusk/Niobrara Ambulance Service or the Niobrara Senior Center in Lusk.
Pier Funeral Home in Lusk is in charge of the funeral arrangements.
