Dean A."Boots" Kassik

Dean Albert Kassik "Boots" was born on May 6, 1955 to Arlene V. Vnoucek and Leonard P. Kassik in Friend, Ne, and passed away on March 10, 2025 at his home surrounded by his children, son in laws, grandchildren, and loving wife. Dean attended Milligan High School and graduated with the class of 1973, participating in football, track, basketball, band and choir. They were an extremely close and loving class. He attended Milford Trade School, and graduated with a degree in Diesel Mechanics. Dean was a volunteer Fireman, served on the Village of Milligan Town board, was a member of the Community Club, Kassik Milling Bowling Team, attended Milligan United Methodist Church, coached on the Milligan Fun for All Softball Team, boys elementary Basketball Team, and was currently on the Fillmore County Zoning Committee. Dean was married to Laura Beth Bigelow on January 12, 1985, in Napa, California. To this union three children were born, Abbey Marie, Ashley Leigh, and Dean Michael. They made their lifetime home in Milligan, NE Dean worked at the family business Kassik Milling, as a young boy, later becoming full partners in the business with his brother, Mike. This company was Deans pride and joy. Dean was the mechanic, and all-around fix everything guy, and Mike was the Office Manager, managing all the financials and formulating feed and sales. They made the perfect team, and Dean looked up to his older brother, and loved him and his sister Pat very much. Dean loved nothing more than to work in his beloved shop, fixing and repairing, tinkering, and partying with the guys after the day's work was done. There was a sign in the shop that said "you break and Boots will fix it", he was gifted in figuring out how machines worked and could fix anything. He was very close to all his employees and treated them like family. Dean and his brother also farmed their family farms. He loved most of all harvest time working long hours in the fall combining. Dean was a very mellow, kind and extremely humble man. He loved all mechanics, bowling, fishing, camping, attending his children's sporting and extracurricular activities and he never missed one. He loved to drink his Busch latte and party. He was patient, slow to anger, often a peacemaker always thinking long and hard before speaking or losing his cool. Most often his best advice was Que Sera Sera “Whatever will be will be” or he could be found Busch latte in hand toasting “Na zdravi” with his big huge Grandpa Vnoucek hands. His children were a deep joy in his life. First-born Abbey, the strong responsible leader, big sister that took joy in tending to her younger siblings, second born Ashley, the easy going and happy go lucky child much like her father, and his only son, Dean Michael, the true wild child, the life of the party, full of energy and excitement keeping everyone on their toes. Each one of his children inherited their wonderful characteristics from Dean, always having a part of their dad shine within them. Dean adored his son in laws, Stavi, and Mr. Glenn, and treated them like his own sons. He was very proud of the loving and gentle way they treated his girls and their children. The true love of Deans life were his grandchildren, Ava (Jo Jo), Lilly (Lilac), Kora (Kobra), Livia (Rosie), Laney (Leonard), Blake (Ginger), Mack (Mac a boy), and Brooks (Bubba) the special one that Poppa couldn't play with too much because of his illness, but would sit on his lap for hours, drinking a bottle, and reading a book. Their "Poppa", as they called him, was the happiest when all the kids were at the house playing, laughing, and dancing. He often stated that they were his greatest joy, and simply the icing on his cake. In his later years, Dean and Laura began to finally travel, and took many trips to, South Padre Island, Chicago, Mackinac Island, New England, Florida, and California. Dean was going to retire on his seventieth birthday. They had plans to spend parts of the year somewhere warm and on the water, but he didn't want to be gone away from his kids and grandkids for very long. Dean is proceeded in death by his son, Dean Michael, parents Arlene and Leonard Kassik, in laws, Henry and Roma Bigelow, and several cousins, and loving Aunts and Uncles. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Laura, daughters and son in laws, Abbey and Glenn Ballentine, and Ashley and Steve Havel, Grandchildren, Ava Kennedy, Lilly Kassik, Livia Kassik, Blake Ballentine, Kora Havel, Laney Havel, Mack Havel, Brooks Havel, brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Deb Kassik, sister and brother-in-law Pat and Tim Remmers, Sisters in law, Julie Pimentel, and Beth Dunlap, brother-in-law and wife, Mark and Becky Bigelow, uncle, Joe Vnoucek, uncle-in-law, Dick Rischling, a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, and many many dear friends. A Funeral Service for Dean was held on Friday, March 14, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the Milligan Auditorium in Milligan, Nebraska with Kim Dunker presiding. There were 4 special music selections for Dean’s funeral service, “The Dance” by Garth Brooks, “Let It Be” by The Beatles, “Humble and Kind” by Tim McGraw and “As Nas Cesty Svedou” by The Milligan Czech Brass Band. Pallbearers include Steve Becker, Doug Kotas, Larry Roit, Bob Vnoucek, Rich Kassik, Evan Remmers, Blake Baller, T.J. Kotas and John Kassik. Honorary Pallbearers were Ava Kennedy, Lilly Kassik, Kora Havel, Livia Kassik, Laney Havel, Blake Ballentine, Mack Havel, Brooks Havel, Jimmy Crabtree and Larry Capek. Graveside Services were conducted following the Funeral Service at the Bohemian National Cemetery in Milligan, Nebraska.

Tributes

Dean A."Boots" Kassik

May 6, 1955 - March 10, 2025