Kenneth E. Ebbeka

Kenneth Ervin Ebbeka was born September 26, 1926 to John Sylvester Frank and Alta Ruth (Madison) Ebbeka at Geneva, Nebraska. He passed away on February 27, 2023 at Fillmore County Hospital at the age of 96 years, 5 months, and 1 day. Kenny attended school at District 18, District 12, and District 17 in Fillmore County. The family moved to Geneva in 1942 when the Fairmont Air Base was built. Kenny went to high school in Geneva. He was drafted into the army March 22, 1945, 2 months before graduation, and took his basic training at Camp Maxey, Texas. On October 6, 1945, he set sail from Camp Beale, California for Tokyo, Japan. During the trip they hit a severe storm and no one was allowed on deck for two days. They reached Tokyo October 10, 1945. Kenny was a part of the military police at train stations and naval depots in Tokyo then after the atomic bomb, he was sent to Hokkaido, Japan and returned home September 20, 1946. He received the WWII Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. He was honorably discharged from the army on November 8, 1946. Kenny worked as a custodian at the Geneva Public Schools for eight years. He married Mary Rose Zumpfe June 12, 1951. To this union three children were born: Nancy, Carol and Dale. Kenny and Mary owned the Strang Tavern from November of 1955 to November of 1976. He also worked as a hired hand on the Wayne Matejka farm and drove the Strang school bus for several years. He was on the Strang Village Board and was a VFW Legion Commander in 2001-2002 and on the 21-gun salute firing squad for many, many years. A Quilt of Valor was presented to Kenny on September 11, 2016. Mary passed away on November 30, 1982. Kenny & Mary shared 31 years of marriage. Kenny married Elaine (Kamler) Bumgarner December 28, 1984. In February of 2017, Kenny and Elaine moved to the Assisted Living at Heritage Crossings in Geneva. Unfortunately Elaine was moved to the skilled side of Heritage Crossings prior to the pandemic and they only saw each other through face-time for about a year, but they were able to be together for a while before َّElaine passed away July 19, 2021. Kenny & Elaine shared 36 years of marriage. Kenny enjoyed going to high school football and volleyball games to watch his grandchildren play. He loved to fish and hunt and many big fish got away as well as those big bucks!! Besides deer, he hunted quail, ducks, pheasants, and grouse. He had many fishing/hunting stories to tell and he told some whoppers!! A highlight in Kenny’s life recently was a day trip to the Sandhills with son-in-law Gary where they went to Halsey National Park, saw some old friends in Halsey and Purdum and saw a herd of muley deer. Playing cards was a favorite pastime whether it be Euchre, Pitch, or 21. At Heritage Crossings, one could find Kenny playing cards on Friday nights as well as working on puzzles throughout the week. Kenny was preceded in death by his parents; wives Mary Rose and Elaine; stepson Charlie Bumgarner; and granddaughter Tabitha Van Pelt. He is survived by his children Nancy (Allen) Gewecke of Lincoln, Nebraska, Carol (Gary) Reinsch of Geneva, Nebraska, Dale (Cindy) Ebbeka of Wayne, Nebraska; stepdaughter Connie Fiala & companion Jr. Gray of Strang, Nebraska; Grandchildren Teri (Bob) Alley-Davis, Steve Gewecke (Amanda Podtburg), Sean (Amy) Gewecke, Heath Gewecke (Becky Stewart), Nicholas (Anna) Gewecke, Jessica (Tim) McCaslin, Rachel (Tony) Fehr, Katie (Tyler) Brooks, Austin (Anne) Reinsch, Amaly (Brandon) Friesen, Toninessa (Gὒrkan) Ozenci, Joshua (Jessica) Snyder, Ayla Ebbeka, Lance (Dana) Fiala, Laci (Aaron) Liebeck; Great-Grandchildren Jasmine (Mark) Voglpohl, Trevor Alley, Peyton & Gavin Davis, Cody, Sydney, & Aricka Van Pelt, Emily & Robert Gewecke, Olivia & Samantha Kempkes, Elsa, James & Calvin Gewecke, Nicole, Ryan, Kateri, Liam, & Alexander McCaslin, Darin & Allison Fehr, Logan & Emma Brooks, Alivia & Cora Reinsch, Hannah & Bailey Friesen, Matthew Prochaska, Kaan Ozenci, Raegan, Taryn & Layton Fiala, Addison Ades, and Sutton & Collin Liebeck; and Great-Great Grandchild Anthony Voglpohl. A Funeral Service for Kenny was held on Friday, March 3, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Geneva. Father Harlan Waskowiak presided over the Funeral Service. Charlotte Bumgarner accompanied the congregation in the singing of “Amazing Grace,” “Song Of Farewell,” and “How Great Thou Art.” Pallbearers included Steve Gewecke, Sean Gewecke, Heath Gewecke, Nicholas Gewecke, Austin Reinsch, and Bob Davis. Honorary pallbearers included Tim McCaslin, Jessica McCaslin, Tony Fehr, Rachel Fehr, Tyler Brooks, Katie Brooks, Brandon Friesen, Amaly Friesen, Teri Alley-Davis, Ayle Ebbeka, and Toninessa Ozenci. A Graveside Service was held in the Geneva Public Cemetery following the Funeral Service. Military Rites were performed by the Samuel J. Marsh Geneva VFW Post 7102, Geneva Sons Of The American Legion Sloan Bolton Post 68, and the Nebraska Military Honor Guard. Farmer & Son Funeral Home was in care of the arrangements and online condolences can be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation.

Tributes

Kenneth E. Ebbeka

September 26, 1926 - February 27, 2023