Kevin Dale Schoenholz

A Funeral Service for Kevin was held Friday, April 11, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Bruning, Nebraska. Kim Dunker and Pastor Warren Schoming presided over the Funeral Service. Deb Pohlmann was the organist and she provided the prelude and postlude music. The recorded selections "That's My Job," "Daddy's Hands," "The Dance," and "My Way" were played during the Funeral Service. Pallbearers included Jacob Schoenholz, Matt Lindersmith, Jeremy Reince, Austin Spurling, Daniel Domeier, Chris Mussman, Jay Bechtold, and Darren Anderson. Honorary Pallbearers included Mike "Albert" Sim, Larry "Pete" Bowman, Wayne Aude, Tim Remmers, Bruce Bruning, and Bruce Stuart. A Graveside Service will be held in the Harmony Cemetery immediately following the Funeral Service. Memorials in lieu of flowers are suggested to the family for future designation. Kevin Dale “Big Dad” Schoenholz, of Bruning, Nebraska left his earthly home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 in the Hospice Unit of Bryan West in Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 66 years, 5 months, and 28 days. He was born October 11, 1958, in Hebron, Nebraska. Kevin was the only planned “perfect” child to Norman “Dee” and Carol (Crawford) Schoenholz. Showing his stubborn streak before he entered this world, Kevin was two weeks late. He cruised through life doing things his way and in his time, even in the end. A farmer to his core, Kevin started driving tractors long before he was enrolled in the District 21 country school. When he entered 3rd grade, Kevin started going to Bruning Public School in 1966. Though he did everything he could to avoid school, and the honor roll; Kevin had an amazing voice. He could not read a note of music, but boy could he sing. He was asked to go perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City the summer after he graduated, but he farm was the only place he wanted to be. Kevin farmed with his dad on the families third and final farmstead southeast of Bruning. When he was nineteen, he met a girl from Ong. His life and dreams were focused on winning her heart and starting his own family. At barely twenty years old, he married Vickie Andersen on November 17th, 1978. To this union came Shannon and Ben. As most know, Kevin never was a small guy. So naturally, after he became a dad, his friends started calling him Big Dad. This nickname stuck. Kevin bought his Great Aunt’s house on Jefferson Street in Bruning when Shannon was 2. This was the house where his children were raised, and his love for gardening flourished. He instilled in his children his love for a slow cruise and for fishing. When the farming landscape started to change around 1984, Kevin started working at Bruning Grain and Feed to supplement their income. It wasn’t long at the elevator, until Kevin became the fertilizer manager. He could do anything they needed there, but he spent many a day bouncing through fields in his Big A. During harvest you would find him in the scale house. Farmers still talk about how efficient he was running the scale. It was here people learned how impressive his math skills were. He was a human calculator, able to add big numbers as you shouted them out. During this time, he was a member, and did a stint as President, of the Bruning Men’s Club. He spent a great deal of time helping organize and run Bruning Days until the beloved club was dissolved. In 1995, he decided owning the cafe and bar in town would be a good adventure. Of course they named their establishment ‘Big Dad’s.’ They ran the bar for seven years. During their time at the bar, Kevin worked full time for Leroy and Carol Voss on their farm. He stayed on with them until he was diagnosed with a kidney disease in 2006. When his kidney disease was in remission, he started spraying lawns. When Ben and Nicole had Collin, Papa Mow was born. Spraying on a Dixon mower was his livelihood until he started working for his best friend and son, Ben, at Schoenholz Precision Application. Big Dad drove truck and helped his son until his health forced him to quit. Of all of his jobs, being Papa Mow was his favorite. His biggest disappointment was being unable to spend as much time with his four grandbabies, as his health continued to deteriorate. Kevin would be the first to tell you, he was not a perfect man. He had many hurdles and obstacles thrown his way, and he did not always handle them with grace. Regardless, he always tackled things with love and a good sense of humor. Always the strong shoulder for his family and friends, he was always there to listen, not judge, and lend a hand. His greatest joy was spending time with his family and friends. Whether he was changing song lyrics, writing a poem, telling a joke, or playing pitch, with him the laughter would abound. Kevin was preceded in death by his grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents, brother Scott, and many extended family members and friends. He is survived by his children, Shannon (Jim) Collier and Ben (Nicole) Schoenholz; grandchildren, Collin, Mylah, Kaelyn and Korah Schoenholz all of Bruning, Nebraska; sisters, Kim (Jim) Dunker of Geneva, Nebraska and Sandy (Kurt) Muths of Salina, Kansas; and sister-in-law Amy Schoenholz of Bruning, Nebraska; nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Tributes

Kevin Dale Schoenholz

October 11, 1958 - April 8, 2025