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Kenard F. Kreycik, age 66, of Niobrara, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, SD. Visitation was held on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, from 5-8 p.m. at the Brockhaus Funeral Home in Niobrara. Funeral services were held on Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the Faith, Hope and Love Fellowship Church in Creighton, Pastor Casey Nelson officiated. Music was provided by Connie Guthmiller, pianist and Pastor Casey and Jan Nelson, vocalists. Pallbearers were Lorie Knigge, Kelly Naber, Chase Orsborn, Brett Orsborn, Darin Wickersham and Dallas Wickersham. Honorary pallbearers were Willard Ruzicka, Ray Branstiter, Terry Zach, Virgil Miller, Red Branstiter, Rocky Latorra, Richie Latorra, Dale Johnson, Bob Sharb, Bob Kolar, Phil Shoop, Kenny Mayberry, Ted Vesely, Davie Vesely, Gary Marshall, Rayder Swanson, Dennis Hrbek, Melvin Cameron, Waymond Hanzlik, Rick Metzler, Chuck Mulhair, Larry Shafer, Gary Moody and the Lower Niobrara NRD Board. Graveside services were held on Monday, Oct. 28, 2012, at 3 p.m. at the Riverview Cemetery west of Niobrara. Military honors were conducted by the VFW Post #4834 of Niobrara. Brockhaus Funeral Home in Niobrara was in charge of arrangements. Kenard Frank Kreycik, son of Frank W. and Vlasta V. (Viterna) Kreycik, was born Feb. 8, 1946, at Lynch. He grew up on the family farm in the Riverview community between Niobrara and Verdel. Kenny attended Rural School District 87 (May School) near the family home. He graduated from Niobrara High School in 1964. Following graduation Kenny enlisted in the Nebraska National Guard, serving for six years, until his honorable discharge in 1970. During this time he also farmed with his father, uncle, Otto Kreycik and brother, Rollo Kreycik, in the Riverview community. On Sept. 6, 1968, Kenard was married to Christine "Chris" Sholes at the First Presbyterian Church in O'Neill. The couple was blessed with two children, a son, Steven Neils on May 15, 1971 and a daughter, Stacy Marie on April 2, 1976. They lived on the Kreycik Riverview Farm, a stately, picturesque farmstead along the Niobrara River where they raised their family. The Kreyciks initially fed cattle, did grain and hay farming and in the mid 1980s added elk to their operation and later added buffalo. The addition of novelty livestock became a major part of the farming operation and by the mid 1990s Kenard and Chris began hosting elk hunts. A year later they began offering covered wagon tours of their beautiful farm, giving thousands of people the opportunity to get up close and personal with their elk and buffalo. These popular tours and hunts continue to be a major annual tourist destination in the Niobrara area. Kenard was an outgoing, hard-working, caring person who always had a friendly smile and loved to visit. Kenard's jovial personality and signature bib overalls were his trademark. During his lifetime Kenard served his community through various organizations, including the Niobrara School Board, Lower Niobrara NRD Board, Knox County Block Grant Revolving Loan Program, Riverview Cemetery Board, North American Elk Breeding Association and the Nebraska Elk Club. He was also a member of Faith, Hope and Love Fellowship Church in Creighton. Kenard loved fishing for catfish in the Niobrara River near his beloved farm. He also went on annual fishing trips to various places around the country, including his final fishing journey this summer with his friend, Willard Ruzicka. No one was ever a stranger around Kenard and his warm and loving personality will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. Kenard is survived by his wife of 44 years, Chris Kreycik of Niobrara; son, Steven (wife Allison) Kreycik of Niobrara; daughter, Stacy (husband Clint) Miller of Verdigre; four grandchildren, Jace, Josilyn and Jaeli Miller and Riley Screen; brother, Rollo (wife Lois) Kreycik of Niobrara; sisters-in-law, Connie Wickersham of O'Neill and Cindy (Bob) Orsborn of Stromsburg; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Vlasta Kreycik; parents-in-law, Robert and Marcella Sholes and brother-in-law, Dennis Wickersham.
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