| William James “Bill” Jerabek, Jr. |
William James “Bill” Jerabek, Jr., 91, of St. Paul, died Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at CHI Health—St. Francis in Grand Island.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Farwell. The Reverend Vince Parsons celebrated the Mass assisted by Deacons Neil Baquet and Phil Lukasiewicz. Lectors were Jim Lukasiewicz and Ted Lukasiewicz.
Jerry Larchick and Kerry Townsend were the Eucharistic ministers.
Andrea Jerabek and Mary Jo Serbousek were the musicians.
Selections included “On Eagle’s Wings,” “Psalm 23,” “It Is Well With My Soul,” “Gift of Finest Wheat,” “Song of Farewell,” and “John Deere Polka.”
Casket bearers included Chris Rischling, Derick Lewin, Andrew Jerabek, Austin Jerabek, Cole Scheer, and Grant Jerabek.
Honorary bearers were Bailey Scheer, Cleo Gleisberg, Tahya Helzer, Grace Thoendel, and Bill’s great grandchildren.
Burial followed in St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery. Military honors were conducted by Carl Mogensen American Legion Post 119 of St. Paul and the United States Army Funeral Honors Team.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be given to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church or its cemetery.
Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting Bill’s family.
Bill was born on October 13, 1935, on the family farm near Farwell, the son of William Sr. and Frances (Bogacz) Jerabek. He attended a Howard County rural school near Farwell and graduated from Farwell High School with the Class of 1954.
After graduation, he worked as a hired hand for Mettenbrink Cattle Company in Grand Island. Bill enlisted in the United States Army and served from December 3, 1958, until November 30, 1964. While in the service, Bill married the love of his life, Bertha Evelyn Larchick, on April 20, 1959, at St. Josaphat’s Catholic Church in Loup City. From June 1959 until June 1960, the couple lived in Neu-Ulm, Germany, where Bill was stationed.
Bill began farming with his father at the age of nineteen and continued until his father’s passing in 1969. He then farmed on his own until his sons were old enough to join him.
Bill and Bertha lived and farmed outside of Farwell until moving to St. Paul in 2002. Bill continued farming until his retirement in 2007.
Bill served on the Farwell Public School Board from 1966 until 1978. He was a lifelong member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Farwell and a member of Knights of Columbus Council No. 1918 of St. Paul.
Bill loved farming, enjoyed all Nebraska Cornhusker sports, and was a longtime Nebraska football season ticket holder.
He is survived by his wife, Bertha of St. Paul; his children and their spouses, Kelly and Dan Scheer of St. Paul, Randy and Lisa Jerabek of St. Paul, Kristine Lewin of Omaha, and Ryan and Lisa Jerabek of Farwell; his sister and brother-inlaw, Maryann and Jim Lukasiewicz of Omaha; ten grandchildren, Chris, Derick, Andrew, Bailey, Austin, Cole, Cleo, Grant, Tahya and Grace; and eight great-grandchildren, Kenley, Hank, Violet, Holt, Ensley, Lucy, Julia and Emerson, with another due in March; and sister -in-law and brother-in-law, Joyce and Bob Clark.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister and brotherin- law, Karen and Dave Lukasiewicz; his in-laws, Joseph and Valerie Larchick; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jim and Dolores Larchick; and sisters-in-law and brothers- in-law, Mary Ann and Albert Leathers and Carol and Dale Olsen.
Condolences and memories may be shared with Bill’s family at www. petersfuneralhome.net.
The Phonograph-Herald | October 21, 2026