Bernard J. Reiselman

Bernard J. (BJ) Reiselman passed away on June 24, 2025, at The Maples at Centennial Park Nursing Home in North Platte, NE, just a few days before his 100th birthday.

He was born on July 4, 1925, in Oconto, NE, to Ben and Edith Reiselman, and he always remembered hearing his mom teasing him about being born on the 4th and saying she couldn't go see the fireworks.

He attended country schools until high school, when he went to Ogallala High School and graduated in 1943 at the age of 17. Following graduation, WWII broke out, and he enlisted in the US Navy and attended aviation radio school, aerial gunnery school, and squadron training. He was assigned to squadron VT-85, a torpedo bomber squadron onboard the aircraft carrier USS Shangri-La. In 1945, he sailed to the Pacific Ocean to fly support missions for the invasion of Okinawa and missions over mainland Japan. BJ received the air medal with two clusters for his service. He received an honorable discharge in 1946. When he returned to Ogallala, he met and married Ruth Ellen Sexton and had two children, Jim and Jane Ann.

BJ worked for Heckendorf Advertising until 1948 when he started Reiselman Sign Company. He owned and operated this business for 40 years, and some of his work is still seen around the area. He was particularly proud of the south water tower (the alien water tower), which drew national attention at the time and is still an important feature of the town. He sold his company in 1988 and retired.

BJ and Ruth were active members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church for sixty years. BJ was also a life member of the Elks Lodge, having served as Exalted Ruler, trustee, and treasurer. He was a life member of the VFW and a member of the American Legion. He served a term on the Ogallala Planning Commission, a term on the directors of the Chamber of Commerce, and was chairman of the publicity committee for three years. He was also a member of the Lions Club for fifteen years and the Knights of Columbus. Later in life, he enjoyed activities at the Senior Center, especially playing pool with a great bunch of guys and dancing. When younger, BJ played golf and bowled with the Reiselman Sign Company team. His later passions were woodworking and cross-stitching. He made some beautiful items that his family cherishes. After moving to North Platte with his daughter and son-in-law, he spent hours working on jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, and Sudoku's. And, of course, we can't leave out his love for Nebraska football and Volleyball! As he aged, he loved going for rides to check out all the new construction and always stopping for ice cream cones at Runza before going home. BJ made friends wherever he went with his quick wit and silly humor.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Ruth; his parents, Ben and Edith Reiselman; sisters, Yvonne Schrock and husband Ray, Nadine Vance and husband John, and his brother Edward Reiselman and wife Ruby; brothers-in-law and their wives, Robert and Jean Sexton, Lloyd and Eunice Sexton and Perry and Eloise Sexton, and nephew Patrick Fought as well as special friend, Vannie Hagge Hoover.

Surviving him are his children, Jim and wife, Jane "B" Reiselman of Lima, OH, and Jane "A" and husband, David Lint of North Platte, NE, grandchildren Todd (Cortney) Reiselman of Nashville, TN, Wendy (Jeff) Frenzel of Kiowa CO and Gayland (Aleeta) Bockhahn of St. Helens OR, sister Rosemary (Duane) Petersen of Oshkosh NE and numerous great, and great great grandchildren as well as a host of nieces and nephews as well as Home Instead caregivers Tawnia, Laura and Nichole.

"A good man who lived a long, full life."

Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala.

Funeral Mass will be held on July 3, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Ogallala with Fr Suresh Bandha and Fr Bryan Ernest Concelebrating. Interment will be in the Ogallala Cemetery.

A Life Celebration will be held for BJ on July 4 at the Moose Lodge in North Platte, NE, from 11 am to 4 pm CST. All friends and family are invited to attend. The family invites you to dress casually for both days.

Memorials to the Wounded Warrior Project are suggested in lieu of flowers. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the Mass will be streamed live.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.