Jack Raymond Nitz, 84, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, October 31, 2020 at Fremont Methodist Hospital.
Jack was born on June 5, 1936 to Joseph & Frances (Johnson) Nitz on the family farm west of Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska. Jack attended District 13 just east of the farm. Jack graduated from Cedar Bluffs High School in 1954. Jack was heavily involved in 4-H and showing Guernsey cattle and was a herdsman for the Roberts Dairy show herd. Jack won many Guernsey championships including Grand Champion at Ak-Sar-Ben each year from 1953 to 1956 in addition to winning many dairy showmanship contests. Jack also served in the Nebraska Air Guard from 1956-62.
Jack married the love of his life, Delores Kavan, on January 14, 1956 at Sinai Lutheran Church in Fremont. To this union, two children were adopted from the Nebraska Children’s Home Society in Omaha. Jay was adopted in March of 1965 at the age of 5 weeks. Jennie was adopted in March of 1967 at the age of 6 weeks. Delores passed away on February 1, 2014.
Jack and Delores farmed side by side at the family farm west of Cedar Bluffs. After the passing of Jack’s father in 1962, Jack took a leap of faith with his best friend Willis Armbrust and attended The Reisch American School of Auctioneering in Mason City, Iowa, graduating in December of 1964. Jack and Delores sold the Guernsey herd in 1967 and embarked on running their full-time auction company, Jack Nitz & Associates.
In 1970 Jack earned his Nebraska Real Estate Salesperson license and his Brokers license in 1979. In 1976 Don Peterson asked Jack to become a partner with Don Peterson & Associates. Don was a great friend and Jack remained with the company until 1981 after Don’s passing. Jack founded the Farm Department for Don Peterson & Associates.
Jack and Delores handed over the torch of the of the business to Jay in 2003. But Jack remained as Chairman of the Board for the company until his passing. Jack conducted over 2,000 auctions since 1962 including farm, dairy, real estate, business liquidations, hay mills, vehicle, household, and antiques in seven states: Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, North & South Dakota and Idaho. Jack mentored and trained many aspiring auctioneers during his career. Jack was an instructor at the Nebraska Auction School for many years and he never hesitated to offer advice or take a new auctioneer under his wing. Jack and Delores also founded the Nebraska Auctioneers Association Foundation for the benefit of the organization and its members.
Jack had an affinity for trailers, so he founded Nitz Equipment LLC over 20 years ago and exclusively offered Hillsboro Industries Trailers and Flatbeds. In 2019 he was recognized as the #1 Top Selling Aluminum Truck Bed dealer and Top 5 Dealer in sales overall for Hillsboro Industries in the nation. Jennie joined Jack in September of 2020 and will be continuing the flatbed business.
Jack was a tireless volunteer who donated his time, talent, and resources to many organizations. Jack was a long time 4-H leader and judged many county fair dairy shows. He also founded and conducted the annual Cedar Bluffs Community Benefit Auction for over 40 years. Jack conducted and participated in hundreds of benefit auctions over his career. Jack served on many boards including: Sinai Lutheran Church, Saunders County Fair Board (Past President), Cedar Bluffs School Board, Fremont Board of Realtors (Past President), Valley View Homeowners Association, Fremont Shrine Club (Past President) Nebraska Auctioneers Association (Past President) and the National Auctioneers Association.
Jack was honored by the National Auctioneers Association when he was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 1997, their highest recognition. He was also inducted into the Nebraska Auctioneers Association Hall of Fame in 2009 and was that organization’s Auctioneer of the Year in 1993. Jack was honored by his alma mater, Cedar Bluffs Public School, when he was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2014.
Jack loved collecting John Deere & International tractors and toys. He amassed a collection of over 300 toys and 25 life size tractors. In 2018 Jack donated a tractor to the Cedar Bluffs High School SkillsUSA program so they could restore the tractor and raise money for their program by raffling the tractor off.
But Jack’s true pride in life was his children and grandchildren. He was an extremely involved “G-PA” who attended numerous games, concerts, and ceremonies for the kid’s accomplishments. He would beam with pride and made sure to tell everyone how proud he was of them.
Jack is survived by his loving family: Son & daughter-in-law, Jay & Vicki Nitz of Cedar Bluffs; Daughter & son-in-law, Jennie & Ray Rasmussen of the Fremont area; Granddaughter, Courtney Nitz-Mensik & Fiance Jerry Buman of Papillion; Grandson Justin Nitz of Cedar Bluffs; Granddaughter Piper Rasmussen of the Fremont area; Grandson Jeremy & Nikki Rasmussen of Texas and many beloved brothers-in-law & their spouses, sister-in-law & spouse, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Jack is preceded in death by his wife Delores; his parents; Delores’ parents; sister Marjorie Melton & her husband Larry; niece Nancy Youngberg; many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and a nephew.
Public visitation, Sunday, November 8th at Ludvigsen Mortuary from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Family will NOT be present. Masks will be required for the visitation. Private family services will be held with a public celebration to be held at a later date. Private Family Internment will be at Sunrise North Cemetery at Wahoo, Nebraska.
In lieu of flowers/plants, memorials may be directed to, The Nebraska Children’s Home Society, the Nebraska Auctioneers Association Foundation or Sinai Lutheran Church.
Ludvigsen Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be left at www.ludvigsenmortuary.com
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