Betty Marie James

Betty James was born on December 22, 1936 in Omaha, NE, the only child of Joseph and Marie Halac. She attended Highland Elementary School and South High School, where she met her future husband, Howard. After graduating, she began working as an executive secretary at Robert E. Schweizer Investment Bankers.

In 1961, shortly before their marriage, Howard drove Betty down a dirt road to the middle of a cornfield and presented her with the site of their new home they would share for over 63 years, until her death. As the neighborhood grew up around them, they welcomed daughter Cindy, and Betty traded her steno pad and typewriter for jobs as room mother, PTA member, assistant Girl Scout leader, marching band supporter and all-around blue ribbon mom.

A member of OPIEU, Betty returned to the office as the secretary of GCIU Local 520, where she worked until her retirement.

Betty was an active member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church, where she was a member of the Altar Society.

Betty loved her family, polka music and hockey (not necessarily in that order). She was a huge fan of the Nebraska Cornhusker football team and could often be found on football Saturdays praying on her red and white rosary for a win.

Betty will be greatly missed by her husband and daughter, as well as by her son-in-law, grandsons, cousins and by her grand-dog Lady who’s wondering where the lady who could always be counted on for Milkbones, french fries, yogurt cups and many other tidbits went.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Marie Halac.

She is survived by her loving husband of 63 years Howard V. James; daughter Cindy (Mike) Manzi; grandsons Michael and Max Manzi.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her name to the Josie Harper Hospice House. They were very good to Betty in her final days and her family is very grateful to them.

 https://hospicehouseomaha.org/