Donald "Barney" Konicek

Donald “Barney” Wayne Konicek, 92, of Bancroft, NE, passed away Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at the Wisner Care Center in Wisner, NE, 3 days short of his 93rd birthday. Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Bancroft, NE; Father Paul Ortmeier will be officiating. The visitation will be Monday, September 18, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Bancroft with a wake service at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Bancroft Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Bancroft, NE. Don was born on September 16, 1924 at the Walthill Hospital, the son of John and Helen (Rutledge) Konicek. Because of his pretty brown eyes, the hired man nicknamed him Barney because of a song back then. He went to rural schools north of Beemer, and then attended Creighton Prep in Omaha his freshman year before coming back to Wisner High to graduate in 1942. During high school he played football, playing on a state championship team, and also worked for the neighbors. Don was united in marriage to Janice Kind on January 29, 1955 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wisner. Both Don and Janice loved to dance, that’s where they met in Beemer. They lived on a farm northeast of Wisner for one year until moving to a farm east of Bancroft in February 1956. In December 1962 they moved to the farm west of Bancroft and lived there until building a home in Bancroft in 2000. Don was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Bancroft, previously serving as a trustee and on the parish council. He and Janice received the Spirit of Holy Cross Award together. Don’s first seven years of farming and feeding cattle were a bit tough, drying out two years, flooding out two years, and hailing out one year, but through it all, he considered his love for farming more of a hobby than a job. Even after moving into their new home in town, he continued to farm until 2012 and then had a farm sale at the age of 88. His love for life and his strength always prevailed through the years as he endured several back surgeries, several heart surgeries, many skin cancer surgeries, and his battle to keep going with neuropathy. His everlasting love for Janice was also shown as he took care of her as long as he could before she entered a nursing home with Alzheimer’s. Don’s life revolved around boxing, card playing, dancing, horses, farming and feeding cattle, friends, and all of his family. He and Janice showed a cutting horse after they were married, and he forever loved this event and went on to teach his children so they could compete in high school rodeos and other cutting events. They taught all of their kids to ride at an early age on ponies, and every weekend from spring until fall was spent at either horse shows or rodeos. Don at one time had a bobsled that he took to town with his team and gave rides to many Bancroft residents. You would often find a colt or two in his pasture that he raised. When he was no longer involved in cutting, he competed in team penning. His greatest pleasure was taking his 4 kids to 13 total National High School Rodeos to compete. He also enjoyed following his children and grandchildren in all of their sports and activities. Don’s love for rodeo continued on through his life as he and Janice went on vacations with friends to various rodeos such as the NFR in Las Vegas, Pendleton, Cheyenne, Dodge City, and Calgary. He enjoyed the time he spent with his family and the friends he met in the horse world, and he always enjoyed every family gathering and a visit by friends, neighbors, and family. Donald is survived by his children, Jeffrey (Sherry) Konicek of Wisner, NE, Bradley Konicek of Wisner, NE, Kellee (Len) Hermelbracht of Bancroft, NE, and Barrey (Melissa) Konicek of Ord, NE, 11 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Janice in 2016 of 61 years; parents; sister, Ramona Barry; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Elton and Mary Kind, and grandson-in-law Niall Hansen. .