James “Jim” Allen Niebruegge, Sr., age 95, of Joplin, Missouri, formerly of Roby and Springfield, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on July 16, 2025. Jim was born on May 12, 1930, in the Missouri River bottoms near McKittrick and Hermann, Missouri, to John Edwin Niebruegge and Martha Marie (Stutenkemper) Niebruegge.
He was one of four children and grew up alongside his beloved siblings: Nellie Whithaus, Edna Weicker and Harold Niebruegge. Jim attended school in Hermann, and at the young age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Army. During the Korean War, he was deployed to Germany. Just prior to departure, he learned of his father’s passing and returned home for the funeral. A paperwork mishap led to confusion and a near charge of desertion, but with the help of his brother Harold, state representative intervention, Gov. Phil Donnelly and even President Harry Truman, the issue was resolved, and Jim’s name was cleared.
Following his honorable service, Jim moved to Texas County, Missouri, to live with his sister Nellie. During a drought, on a trip to town for drinking water, he met the love of his life, Patsy, at Largent’s General Store. They courted for six months before marrying at Pleasant Hill Christian Church near Roby on Sunday – just two days after Patsy graduated high school. Jim often joked it was his car that first caught her attention. On May 16, 2025, they celebrated 71 years of marriage.
Jim served in the Army, Army National Guard and Air National Guard for a combined 34 years. He also worked for Laclede Gas Company (now Spire) in St. Louis for 19 years before returning to rural life near Roby, Missouri. There, Jim and Patsy built a farm and raised beef cattle before launching a dairy operation with the help of their sons, Kevin and Leonard. Jim also worked at Fort Leonard Wood as a maintenance employee in civil service.
In 2019, Jim and Patsy moved to Springfield, Missouri, and in 2021, they settled in Joplin to be closer to family. A man of deep faith, Jim was baptized at Pleasant Hill Christian Church and was a longtime member of Roby Christian Church. He transferred his membership to Park Plaza Christian Church on Feb. 5, 2022.
Jim is survived by his devoted wife, Patsy; sons, James Allen Niebruegge, Jr. (Barbara) of San Antonio, Texas and Leonard Niebruegge (Sarah) of Plato; daughters, Renee Miller (Jim) of Joplin and Doresa Harris (Tim) of Affton; and daughter-in-love, Judy Niebruegge of Success. He leaves behind 14 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings; his beloved son, Kevin Niebruegge; and a cherished granddaughter, April Burgess.
Jim’s life was one of service, love, resilience and faith. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Funeral services in Joplin will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at Park Plaza Christian Church, with a visitation to follow. Services in Roby are at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 24, 2025 at the Roby Christian Church in Roby. The family will receive friends during a time of visitation in Roby prior to the service beginning at 1 p.m. at the church. Burial will follow at Palace Cemetery in Palace, Missouri.