| Don Smydra |

Don Anton Smydra, 84, of Boelus, passed away on November 2, 2024 at CHI Health—St. Francis in Grand Island.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, November 9th at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul. Father Vince Parsons presided.

Richard and Marlene Kosmicki were the Eucharistic ministers.

The Korbelik Trio— Randy Korbelik, Debbie Korbelik, and Larry Skarka—were the musicians. Madeleine Krotz and Ross Mosier were family musicians.

Selections included “So God Made a Farmer” by Cross By The River, “Blue Skirt Waltz” by Cottage Under the Mountain, “Amazing Grace,” Song of Farewell,” and “I Love to Dance.”

Loren Smydra, Kyle Smydra, Garrison Krotz, Brittain Timms, Ryan Mosier, Wyatt Smydra, and Kale Smydra were the pallbearers.

Honorary pallbearers included Wayne Rieker, +Ernie Kosmicki, Melvin Kosmicki, Richard Kosmicki, Randy Kosmicki, Terry Kosmicki, Tim Kosmicki, Kenny Kosmicki, Jeff Townsend, +Henry Obermiller, and John Kosmicki.

Interment was in the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul. Jacobsen-Greenway- Dietz Funeral Home in St. Paul is assisting Don’s family.

Don was born on June 29, 1940, in Loup City, at Sacred Heart Hospital, to Anton and Millie (Starkey) Smydra. He grew up on the family farm west of Farwell. He attended Farwell High School, where he graduated in 1957 at the age of sixteen. Following graduation, he continued to farm with his dad and also farmed an eighty-acre farm, which he later purchased on his own, better known as “Sophies.”

Don married the love of his life, Cecelia Kosmicki, in September of 1963. They purchased the family farm after four years of marriage. From this union, they were blessed in their first twenty years together with nine children: Theresa, Daniel, Nancy, Susan, Tammy, David, Dennis, Joseph, and Michael.

Don was a proud member of the Catholic church, Knights of Columbus, and served two terms on the school board. Don enjoyed taking the long way home from Sunday Mass and listening to Polka music on the radio. His family shared in his love of a great Polka celebration. He was also a member of the Central Nebraska Antique Tractor and Equipment Club and drove his tractors in several downtown parades.

Don and Cecelia operated a fully diversified farm, including dairy cows, beef, pigs, all forms of poultry, peacocks, guineas, donkeys, horses, sheep, goats, or anything else that “accidentally” got brought home. Of these, he had a special passion for the beef cows and his dog companions. In his younger years, Don was very involved in supporting his children with their various 4-H and FFA projects. He enjoyed cutting and baling hay, riding his motorcycles and ATVs, and especially working on any type of tractors and equipment with his sons. In the evenings, he would relax by reading farm magazines and researching farm and equipment sales online.

Don is survived by Cecelia, his wife of sixty-one years; sons, Daniel (Cara) Smydra, David (Natasha) Smydra, Dennis (Tara) Smydra, Joseph (Kerin) Smydra, and Michael Smydra; daughters, Theresa Smydra Risinger, Nancy (Clark) Mosier, Susan Smydra (fiancé, Ray Paslawski), and Tammy (Randy) Timms; sister, Joanne (Wayne) Rieker; grandchildren, Loren (Allana) Smydra, Kyle (Katie) Smydra, Rachelle (Blake) Beideck, Venessa (Tyler) Petersen, Kordel Smydra, Ross Mosier, Ryan (Dannica) Mosier, Josh Mosier, Garrison (Madeleine) Krotz, Celia Timms, Brittain (Cassidy) Timms, Megan (David) Zimmerman, Callista (Peter) Kaminski, Wyatt Smydra, Kale Smydra, and Karina Smydra; great-grandchildren, Ella, Bentley, Jasper, Alice, Jack, Scarlett, Lucas, Madison, Emma, Dylan, and two more on the way; and a nephew, Jeff (Cayle) Townsend.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Joyce Smydra; sonin- law, Stan Risinger; and his dearest friend and mentor, Henry Obermiller.

The Phonograph-Herald | November 13, 2024