James “Jim” Lee Deidel, age 79, of North Platte, Nebraska, passed away Friday, October 16, 2026 at Great Plains Health.

Jim was born August 16, 1947 in North Platte at St. Mary’s Hospital to Harry Lee and Ruby Bernice (Kelley) Deidel. He grew up nearby in Mullen before moving to North Platte at nine years old. There he grew into a young man, working for State Farm West Central Research and Extension Center before graduating from North Platte High School in 1965. He continued his education at a tech school in Denver, Colorado, achieving his Mechanic Certification before moving back to North Platte.

Back home, he worked a variety of jobs including helping on construction of I-80 and working for Wallace McKay Motors. During this time, Jim met his first wife Linda, and the two were wed in 1967. To this union was born their beloved children Todd, Tracy, and Tara. Shortly after, Jim started working for the Union Pacific Railroad, where he worked his way up to a Material Handler Clerk. After separating from Linda in 1995, Jim married Anne Robinson in 2001. After several years they later divorced. In 2003, Jim retired, starting a small enterprise with his grandson making and selling duck calls and knives, as well as nightcrawlers.

Jim was always the person people came to with their problems. Generally handy, he had no issue wading into any project, whether it be in carpentry, electrical, or plumbing, though he was especially proud of his woodworking. He leaves his loved ones with many fixes and items as reminders of him to treasure. He was also a gardener and a fisherman, though he had a bad habit of pawning fish and vegetables he didn’t like onto hapless family and friends. As one family member recalls, “He loved to fish, he just didn’t want to eat it!” However, a bit extra fish was definitely worth it for the time spent fishing with Jim. Hanging out with family, and especially his grandkids, was Jim’s favorite way to spend his time.

Those left to cherish Jim’s memory are his children Todd (Betty) Deidel, Tracy (Larry) Whitson, and Tara (Thai Babb) Erb; sister Linda Jepsen; brother Michael (Sandy) Deidel; aunt Audrey Deidel; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, 1 niece, 2 nephews, and his caregiver/family friend, Julia Burke, as well as many more family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents Harry and Ruby, grandparents Edger and Violet Deidel and Roy and Louise Kelley, Uncle Bud, his beloved hunting dogs, Ginger and Buddy and three cats named “Cat”.

Visitation will be held Monday, October 19, 2026, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. A book signing will be held Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. A memorial service will be held Friday, October 23, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Harvest Christian Church with Pastor Jeremy Rinke officiating. Burial will follow at North Platte Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Harvest Christian Church. Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared at carpentermemorial.com.