James O. Sell

A funeral service for James O. Sell will be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Pastor Jean Clayton officiating. Following the traditional funeral service, cremation will take place. A joint inurnment for Jim and Diane will be held on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege.

James Oliver "Jim" Sell, 85 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on May 23, 2026, at WEL-Life in Kearney, Nebraska. Jim was born in rural Norton County, Kansas, just outside Almena, on April 11, 1941, the second of three children, born to Oliver and Doris (Russell) Sell. Shortly after Jim was born, the family moved to a farm near Orleans, Nebraska. Jim attended the Country School about one mile from the family farm. He walked to school, and on his way to and from, he would check his fishing lines.

On September 4, 1960, Jim was united in marriage to Diane Berry in Holdrege, and to this union two sons were born: Brad and Tim. Jim worked for the feed mill east of Holdrege and evenings at the Conoco Station and Power Oil for a few years, and then started working for the City of Holdrege in the Treatment Plant, where he worked until his retirement. For several years, Jim rented the land near the treatment plant and raised sheep there.

Jim enjoyed camping, fishing, and traveling. Jim built the family's first pickup camper; he covered the outside with the tin that newspapers used to be printed on. The family went camping a lot, and one year they camped every weekend except one, Christmas weekend. They went on four cruises and were in San Francisco during the big earthquake of 1989. Jim and Diane owned several rental homes, which Jim took great pride in caring for over the years. A natural problem-solver and skilled craftsman, Jim was always willing to lend a hand. When friends or family needed something built or repaired, he would often teach himself how to do it and create exactly what was needed. He was a skilled mechanic and helped repair many vehicles.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Diane Sell, six days prior; one sister, Verlene Schroder and her husband, Kenny; five brothers-in-law: Don Gimeson; Dennis Berry; Dean Berry and his wife, Kay; Don Berry and his wife, LuEtta; and Delmer Berry and his wife, Janet; and one sister-in-law, Detta Duval.

Jim is survived by two sons: Tim Sell and his wife, Reneè; and Brad Sell both of Holdrege; four grandchildren: Nickolas Sell and his wife, Nancy; Heather Bradley and her husband, Rick; Olivia Sell and her fiancé, Jesse Jackson; Katrina Hahn and her husband, Austin; two step-grandsons: Raymond Solano and his wife, Airrica; and Robert Solano; four great-grandchildren: Abby and Ellie Sell; Adalynn Bantam; and Drayce Jackson; three step great-granddaughters: Alexis, Aubree, and Lilly Solano; one sister, Allene Gimeson of Kearney; two sisters-in-law, Doris Ann Schriner of Holdrege; Judy Berry of Illinois; and one brother-in-law: Larry Duval of Holdrege, and a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.

A visitation will be held on Monday, June 1, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

Memorials in Jim's honor are suggested to the family for a later designation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.