Gene Kratke

Gene Kratke, 82, of Wayne, NE passed away on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at Kinship Pointe in Wayne.  The visitation will be held on Sunday, May 1, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a memorial service at 7:00 p.m. at Salem Lutheran Church.  In Lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Wakefield Fire and Rescue Department.  Arrangements are under the direction of Bressler-Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Wakefield, NE.

Gene was born on March 4, 1940 in West Point, NE, the son of Louis and Louise (Roth) Kratke.  After graduating from Rosalie High School, Gene worked in Wakefield, NE.  He was united in marriage to Marcia Doescher on April 28, 1968 at Salem Lutheran Church in Wakefield.  To this union three children were born, Todd, Wendy, and Lynn.  Together, Gene and Marcia owned Kratke Oil from 1975 until 1992, when it was converted to the C-Store.  Gene continued to provide his customers with tank wagon service.  Gene was a member of the Wakefield Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department, where he also taught EMT classes, and served on the Wakefield City Council.  He loved the outdoors, and liked to watch his grandchildren play sports.

Gene is survived by his son, Todd (Carol) Kratke of Ponca, NE; daughters, Wendy (Greg) Owens of Wayne, NE,  and Lynn (Jeff) Reed of Dakota City, NE; sister, Mylet Witt of Bancroft, NE; grandchildren, Alexis (Chris) Weyhrich, Dana Kratke, Grant Lander, Tommy and Sofia Reed, Andrew (Nicole) O’Neill, and Alex O’Neill; great grandsons, Jack and Ethan O’Neill; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marcia; brother, Darnell Kratke; sister, Elvera Bleckwehl; and a nephew Warren Bleckwehl.