James Rae Beins

James R. Beins (1947-2023) James (Jim) R. Beins, age 76 of York, NE, and Estes Park, CO, died Wednesday November 29, 2023, in Rocky Mountain National Park. He was born on June 4, 1947, to Russell Rae and Mildred (Lofink) Beins in Lincoln, NE. On June 8, 1968, he was united in marriage to Sheri Reetz in York, NE. He is survived by his wife Sheri, sons Jeff (Patsy) Beins and Brian (Sherri Wattenbarger) Beins. His grandchildren include Ashlyn, Aaron (significant other Katie Morrison), and AJ Beins all of Lincoln, NE. He is also survived by his siblings, Susan (LaVern) Hansel, Fran (Robert) Brauer, Ed (Rita) Beins, brother-in-law Tom Lonowski, sister-in-law Patsy Haggadone (Jerry) and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law Melvin and JoAnn Reetz, and his sister Margie Lonowski A Celebration of Life for Jim will be held on Sunday, December 17, 2023, at 2:30 PM at Emmanuel Lutheran Church 9th & Beaver Avenue, York, Nebraska 68467 In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Emmanual Lutheran Church or Rocky Mountain Conservancy. Jim, Jimmy, James Rae Beins Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother-In Law, Brother, Uncle, ...... He left us Wednesday afternoon November 29th doing what he had grown to love so much in retirement. All he needed was a good walking stick, a small backpack, and a trail in Rocky Mountain National Park to make for a great day. It could be a solo hike, just Jim and Sheri, a son, grandchild, family, or friends. Taking a tour by foot to see and share all the views and splendor of the park brought him great joy. When not in the park or even back in Nebraska you would see him glow and smile as he shared a story of a hike or the wildlife of Estes Park. He would almost always have a photo or video to share of a view or wildlife from the park if you asked. In the recent years, an older almost retired male elk came around all the cabins on Eagle Cliff regularly. Dad developed a bond with this single elk and referred to him as Ralph. Ralph would usually visit twice a day throughout most of the year. On Wednesday November 29th Jim was on a beautiful, sunny-day mountain hike with his son Brian near Cub Lake. He was already at a very high elevation – close to God -- taking in the views. It was the man upstairs that decided this was the best time for him to finish the climb up in a quick and peaceful final hike to what had to be the most incredible view that any hike could ever offer........ Jim’s Life James Rae Beins was born June 4th, 1947, to Russell Rae Beins and Mildred K. (Lofink) Beins in Lincoln, Nebraska. Jim graduated from York High School in 1965 and then attended the University of Nebraska – Lincoln where he completed his pharmacy degree. During this time, he completed a pharmacy internship at Hartman’s Rexall Drug in York, Nebraska, where he became better acquainted with Sheri K. Reetz who was working there as a soda jerk. They knew one another in high school but began dating while working together at Hartman’s. This led to the best decision of Jim’s life: proposing to Sheri. They were married on June 8th, 1968, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in York, Nebraska. Once married, they lived in Lincoln while Jim worked to finish his pharmacy degree. On January 3rd, 1969, they welcomed the first of two boys into their world, Jeffrey Jay. After completing pharmacy school, Jim took his first pharmacy position at Boyer Drug of York, Nebraska, working for Miles Hildebrand. Jim’s next move took the family to Norfolk, Nebraska, where he worked at Sunset Drug as a pharmacist and eventually became store manager. During their time in Norfolk, they were blessed with son number #2, Brian Edward on November 24th, 1973. In 1979, Jim and Shari returned to their hometown and purchased Hartman’s Rexall Drug, the pharmacy where they originally met, and changed the name to Beins Rexall Drug. They operated the pharmacy together until 2000 when Jim took a pharmacy position with Wal-Mart Pharmacy. Jim never fully retired but continued doing occasional relief pharmacy at Henderson Pharmacy in Henderson, Nebraska. Jim was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church of York, serving as an Elder, and the Nebraska Pharmacy Association. Early on, he was a member of York Sertoma and recently updated his membership in the York Elks Lodge #1024. Jim’s loves in life included his wife off 55+ years, Sheri, his sons Jeff (Patsy) Beins, Brian (Sherri Wattenbarger) Beins, his grandchildren Ashlyn, Aaron (significant other Katie Morrison) and AJ Beins all of Lincoln, Nebraska. In retirement, Jim found great joy in spending time with family and friends in Estes Park, Colorado. He was always elated to host someone on a hike or drive thru the park to share the beauty and wildlife of the Rocky Mountains. The family sends a special thank you to Holly Reetz and Rocky Mountain National Park EMS - Search and Rescue. Jim will be missed for his devotion to his family, his church, and his community.