Jim Gran

James Elmer Gran 94, of Gordon, NE, passed away Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Pemberly Place Assisted Living in Lincoln, NE.

Jim was born July 9, 1931, in Winner, SD, to Elmer W. Gran and Eva M. (Parkhurst) Gran. Jim graduated from St. Mary’s High School in O’Neill, NE, 1948. Jim was the Grandson of Peter E. Gran, who was born in 1855 in Granberg, Sweden, and, after marriage, immigrated to the USA in 1882. Jim was immensely proud of his Swedish heritage and frequently told the story of Peter landing at Ellis Island, and his original name was Errisen, very Swedish. He was told he should change it, as nobody could spell it and he dropped the “Berg” from Granberg creating the name GRAN.

After Jim’s graduation, Elmer relocated his family to manage the Mission Ranch in Gordon, NE. Jim worked alongside his father, and after moving, he met the love of his life, Helen Mooney, who was a dental assistant at the time. Jim was drafted into the Army in 1952, served in the Korean War, and returned home in 1954. Jim continued to work on the ranch and married Helen on August 20, 1955, in Gordon, NE. Jim took over as manager of the Mission Ranch in December 1955 upon his father, Elmer's, passing.

Jim managed the Mission Ranch for 32 years, where he raised his family. He was actively involved in the Nebraska Stockgrowers Association and was instrumental in the formation of the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association, which combined the Stockgrowers and Cattle Feeders Association. Jim served as the President of the Nebraska Stockgrowers Association from 1980 - 1981, where he contributed by giving back his time to the cattle industry. In 1987, he left the Mission Ranch and founded Gran Red Angus, building a highly reputable Red Angus cattle herd, selling purebred heifers and bulls. In 1995, Jim received an award for Cattlemen of the Year by the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association for his lifelong service to the cattle industry. His children often asked when he would retire, and his reply was, “Why stop doing something you love?” Jim established the Jim and Helen Gran Endowed Scholarship in 2016 in loving memory of this wife, Helen, to help young men and women get started in the cattle industry. His health finally forced him to sell the herd. He sold his last bull at the age of 85. Jim was a member of Gordon Toastmasters and Knights of Columbus.

Jim is survived by his children, Larry and Doris (Belle Fourche, SD), John and Sara (Blair, NE), Warren and Linda (Lincoln, NE), Jean and Allen Parette (Beaver Lake, NE), Bryan and Stacy (Portland, OR), twelve grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. His sisters, Virginia Greenamyre, Elieen Gran, Patricia Mertens, and Elizabeth Gran.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, of 59 years, his parents, Elmer and Eva Gran, his brother, Willis (John) Gran, and his sisters, Caroline Holsinger and Sister Elieen (Mary) Gran.

Rosary will be held Saturday, April 18th, 2026, 9:00 am at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Gordon, NE. Mass of Christian Burial, Saturday April 18th, 2026, 10:00 am. Inurnment following the service at Gordon Cemetery, Gordon, NE. The family ask in leu of flowers, donations may be made out to the Nebraska Cattlemen Research & Education Memorial Foundation, Jim & Helen Gran Endowed Scholarship. Donations to be sent to Chamberlain Mortuary PO Box 6, Gordon, NE 69343