James Dale “Ol' Jim” Surber was born April 3, 1942, in Friend, to Roy and Dorothy (Turner) Surber and went to his final home on May 6, 2026.
He lived in the Friend area all of his life. He attended Friend grade school and high school, graduating in the class of 1960. He furthered his education at the Universal Trade School in Omaha and specialized in Automatic Transmissions and mechanics. After graduating from trade school, he worked for various auto repair shops. They were B&B Chevrolet in Friend, Swede's Repair in Milligan, and Sehnert's Ford Garage in Dorchester. During his high school years, he worked for Bud Bode, "Bud's Garage" in Friend.
He married Rosalie M. Jirsa on Oct. 28, 1962. They had no children. He was drafted into the services in February 1966 during the Vietnam War and served in the Army until 1968. He was stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas, and took AIT for track mechanics, track recovery, and Master mechanics training at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, on two separate occasions. While in the service, he was a tank mechanic, track mechanic, and a recovery specialist.
Upon returning home from the service, he went to work in his field of mechanics, working for Sehnert's Ford Garage in Dorchester. In 1972, he went into business for himself, and operated Jim's Repair until the loss of the majority of his eyesight in 2001. He was an "avid" car person and known as the "Fordnut." Anyone knowing him knew that he liked "his Fords." His motto was, "If it don't shine, It ain't mine." He also took great pride in "fixing things." There wasn't anything that he couldn't fix or try to fix.
He loved serving his customers and community. His organizations were: The Friend Fire Department Fire Chief for 23 years, he was an EMT, Friend Masonic Lodge a 50 year+ member, 50 year+ member of the Sesostris Shrine & Scottish Rite, First Congregational Church, 50 year+ member Friend American Legion, 50 year+ member Eastern Star, Quilts of Valor recipient in 2019, and a charter member of Friend Country Club. Jim and Rosalie were honored as "Long Time Residents" on the 4th of July in 2024.
James is survived by his wife, Rosalie M. Surber of Friend; sister, Joan and brother-in-law, David Petersen; brother-in-law, Arley Benson, Cologne, Minnesota; nieces, Patricia (Paul) Petersen-Savick, Lincoln, and Wendy (Bob) Ryan, Maple Grove, Minnesota; nephews, Marc (Morgan) Benson, St. Michael, Minnesota, and Paul Petersen, Lincoln; great-niece, Myah Stenberg and friend, Connor, Savage, Minnesota; great-nephews, Braden Benson, Colorado, Grant Benson, Florida, Davis Moody, Anchorage, Aalaska, and Connor Moody, Biloxi, Mississippi; his "special family," Emily Yokel-Ernst and William Yokel, children of Will and Sherryl Yokel, who called him Ol' Jim; and "special friend" Sarah Yokel, his advocate for health and hospice care.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Dorothy Surber, sister-in-law, Blanche R. Benson; in-laws, Leo and Rose Jirsa; and a host of uncles, aunts and cousins.
Visitation is scheduled Friday, May 15, at the Lauber Funeral Home in Friend from 1 – 8 p.m. with family greeting and receiving friends and relatives from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. The funeral service is scheduled Saturday, May 16, at the Friend Congregational Church at 10:30 a.m. with internment to follow at Andrew Cemetery with Military Honors. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Friend Fire Department & Rescue, American Legion, or the newly established Jim Surber Automotive Scholarship Fund through the Southeast Community College Educational Foundation.
Arrangements by Lauber Funeral and Cremation Services, Friend.
