James Novotne

James Novotne, age 74, of Columbus, died Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at the Columbus Community Hospital.

James Novotne was born October 22, 1938 in Gibbon, Nebraska to Emil and Anna (Kriha) Novotne. He graduated from Shelton High School in 1956. He attended Kearney State College before enlisting in the Air Force. He served from 1961-1965 as a security analyst. Upon his discharge he returned to college and graduated from University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1966. He married Mary Vanderheiden on August 20, 1966 at St. Marys Cathedral in Grand Island. He worked for Ford Motor Corporation at their world headquarters in Dearborn, MI for 9 years. He then served as the president of Beef Industrial Foundation in Gibbon, Director of Marketing for Century Manufacturing in Aurora for 16 years and Vice President of Domestic and International Sales for Arjo in Chicago. In 1994 James and Mary moved to Columbus where he founded Mastercare Patient Equipment. He was an active member of St. Bonaventure Church where he served in many capacities, member of Knights of Columbus, Mens Choir, Chamber of Commerce, Nebraska Business School Alumni and an avid Husker Fan.

James is survived by his wife: Mary of Columbus, son: Erik of Omaha, daughter Cassandra (fiance-Don Zywiec) of Omaha and Beethoven, sister: Patricia Filbin of Wood River. He was preceded in death by his parents.