Merle D. Buzek

Notes:

Merle farmed with his father until 1952 when he moved to Milligan where he was employed by Bulin and Marsh Produce driving a produce truck in the rural area. In 1954, he began employment with the Milligan Public Schools, and has been employed there for 35 years.

Obituary

Merle Dean Buzek was born on June 16, 1929, to Milo E. Buzek and Mildred H. (Hines) Buzek in Milligan, NE. He passed away on August 14, 2024, at the Fillmore County Hospital at the age of 95 years, 1 month and 29 days.

He attended rural school district southwest of Milligan and then attended Milligan High School, graduating in 1946. On April 19,1949 he was united in marriage to Betty Jean (Kotas) and to them two children were born, Marlon Ray and Deborah Jean.

Merle was proud of his Czech heritage and the town of Milligan. He spent 38 years as a custodian and bus driver at Milligan Public Schools, 15 years on the Milligan Auditorium Board, 21 years on the Bohemian National cemetery board and maintained the cemetery grounds at the Kasak cemetery for 16 years. He was also on the Milligan Fire Department, the Milligan village board and an EMT.

He was recently honored as a 75-year member of the Milligan United Methodist Church. He was the church's oldest member and the oldest male resident of Milligan.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, woodworking, cards, dominos and dancing. He loved to travel and enjoyed family vacations. His family was the most important thing in his life. He enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Betty of 65 years, his father Milo Buzek, mother Mildred (Hines), father-in-law and mother-in-law Henry P. & Mae F. Kotas, brother-in-law Henry Bigelow, sisters Roma Bigelow and Kathy Rischling and great nephew Dean Kassik.

He is survived by his brother-in laws Reenlee Kotas and Dick Rischling, his son Marlon (Judy) Buzek and daughter Deborah (Michael) Kassik. Grandchildren Heather (Eric) Lindsley, Chad (Stephanie) Buzek, Jaymie (Russ) Sebek, Jennifer (Greg) Rutherford, Julie (Scott) Koethe, Justina (Travis) Yound. Great-grandchildren Grant and Logan Lindsley, Tara and Tori Buzek, Makenna, Carter and Cole Sebek, Kennedy and Hudson Rutherford, Olive, Ruby and Oscar Koethe, Weston, Palmer and Griffin Yound. Step-great-grandchildren Erika (Keith Calhoun) Rutherford, Dolan (Lisa) Rutherford and Cal Rutherford. Step great-great grandchildren Georgia Calhoun and Rhylan Rutherford as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Funeral Service for Merle will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Milligan Auditorium in Milligan, Nebraska with Lay Pastor Michelle Lessard presiding.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 16, 2024 at Farmer & Son Funeral Home - Kotas Chapel in Milligan, Nebraska from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with family present from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Graveside Services will be conducted following the funeral service at the Bohemian National Cemetery in Milligan, Nebraska.

Memorials are to be directed to the Milligan Auditorium, Milligan United Methodist Church or to the family to be designated at a later date in Merle's name.

From Farmer & Son Funeral Home, courtesy of Dennis Belohlavy

Merle married Betty Jean Kotas on 19 Apr 1949 in Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. Betty (daughter of Henry P. Kotas and Mae Frances Kubicek) was born on 22 Nov 1929 in Exeter, Fillmore County, Nebraska; died on 20 Dec 2014 in Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska; was buried on 26 Dec 2014 in Bohemian National Cemetery (Milligan South), Milligan, Fillmore County, Nebraska. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]