| Corrine Rose Nekoliczak |
Corrine Rose Nekoliczak, 95, of St. Paul, formerly of Greeley, died peacefully on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Brookefield Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabiliation in St. Paul.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, August 21, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Greeley. Reverend Vince Parsons celebrated the Mass, assisted by Deacon Paul Nordhues.
Marcus Nielsen, Ty Nekoliczak, and Lincoln Nekoliczak were the lectors.
Kyle Nekoliczak and Natalie Poss were the Eucharistic ministers.
Gift bearers included Jessica Benne, Kelsey Schneider, Jami Dutcher, Jaci Gappa, Emma Rose Benne, Maren Rosemary Schneider, Blaikely Corrine Nekoliczak, Isla Corrine Nekoliczak, Ellie Corrine Nekoliczak, and Rowyn Corrine Nekoliczak.
Patty Butcher and Paula Thompson were the singers.
Selections included “Amazing Grace” by Berkley Nielsen and Wren Nekoliczak, “Here I Am, Lord,” “Servant Song,” “In Every Age,” “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman,” “Song of Farewell,” and “On Eagle’s Wings.”
“Walk Me Home” by Eddie Lee Simon was the recorded selection at the vigil.
Casket Bearers included Justin Nielsen, Marcus Nielsen, Jordan Nielsen, Nathan Nekoliczak, Noah Nekoliczak, Kyle Nekoliczak, Ted Nekoliczak, Trevor Nekoliczak, Trent Nekoliczak, Trey Nekoliczak, Ty Nekoliczak, and Jake Gappa.
Interment followed in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Howard County Medical Center Wellness Center, the Greeley Legacy Fund, or for Masses.
Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the family.
Corrine Rose was born January 6, 1931, on the family farm near Butte. She was the youngest of seven children born to Joe and Mae (Detterman) Brinker. Corrine attended school in Butte and, after graduating from high school, began working at the courthouse in Butte.
After several years, she moved to O’Neill, where she worked at the telephone office. It was there that Corrine met the love of her life, Joe Nekoliczak. They met at a dance, shared a piece of Doublemint gum, and the rest was history. After a short courtship, they became engaged. The family is not sure who asked whom, but either way, Joe and Corrine were married March 3, 1962 at Butte.
The couple settled on the Nekoliczak family farm near Greeley, where they raised their four children, Mary Jo, Tom, Jerry, and Julie. They remained on the farm until moving into Greeley in 2010. She also worked at the Greeley County Courthouse, where she was the deputy county treasurer for nineteen years until she retired.
Corrine was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and was one of the first members of the Catholic Daughters organization at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Corrine had a special love for little children and never saw a baby she did not want to hold. She also loved going to the casino and, much like babies, never saw a slot machine she did not want to play. Corrine enjoyed playing cards, putting together puzzles, and scratching lottery tickets. She possessed the unique ability to scratch tickets using only her fingernails—and could do so with amazing speed.
Above all, Corrine was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved her family dearly and had a way of making each person feel special. Even while living in care facilities, she could often be heard saying, “Maybe I should just move in with you and take care of your baby.”
Corrine will also be remembered as a jokester who loved teasing those around her, especially her caregivers. She leaves her caregivers with memories of her mischievous smile and the many little talks they shared.
She is survived by a son and daughter-inlaw, Tom and Jackie Nekoliczak of Greeley; daughter-in-law, Traci Nekoliczak of Greeley; two daughters and sonsin- law, Mary Jo and Dan Nielsen of St. Paul and Julie and Rich Gappa of Kearney; sixteen grandchildren; thirty-three great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; many other relatives and friends; and a very special friend, Craig.
She is also survived by her lone sister-in-law, Lorraine “Shootzie” Kelly. Shootzie was Corrine’s partner in crime. These two “Golden Girls” were two of a kind. If one went to the casino, she had better not let the other find out, or there would be trouble. For sixty-five years, they shared their joys and tears. They were friends forever.
Corrine was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joe; her son, Jerry; and her siblings, Wilbur, Edgar, Myron, Vic, Elaine Adamson, and Bill.
Condolences and memories may be shared with Corrine’s family at www. petersfuneralhome.net.
The Phonograph-Herald | August 26, 2026