DALE “SPIKE” KALKWARF

****************

DALE “SPIKE” KALKWARF

Dale Lynn Kalkwarf, born July 24, 1958, in Crete, Nebraska, to Loren Richard and Mary Ann (Tummond) Kalkwarf, was one of eleven children. He grew up in Crete, where he went to school, graduating from Crete High School.

On June 9, 1978, Dale married Mary Ann Gill at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Friend, Nebraska. They made their first home in Crete, and through the years would be blessed with three sons: Cristopher Lynn, Kenny Lee, and Kyle Loren.

During high school Spike, as he was known by many, had begun working at Sack Lumber in Crete. Right after graduation he continued full time with the company. In 1985 he was transferred to the Auburn store as manager. Spike remained in that position until 2017, when he returned to his roots in Crete. He retired after 44 years with Sack. In 2019 Spike and Mary Ann moved back to Auburn.

Spike was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Auburn. He enjoyed hunting, especially with his bow, and liked to fish as well. He spent many hours building and flying remote-controlled airplanes and working on his vehicles. A real handyman, he was constantly building and fixing things.

Experiencing health problems in recent months, Spike moved to the Good Samaritan Society-Auburn in late January of 2024. He passed away peacefully there on Friday, February 2, 2024, at the age of 65 years, 6 months, and 9 days. He was preceded in death by his parents Loren and Mary Ann Kalkwarf; parents- in-law Tim and Marion Gill; brother Tom Kalkwarf; sister Susie Urbach; brother- in-law Robert Petracek; brothers- and sisters-in-law Timothy (Colleen) Gill, Norma Gill, Kathyrn Bojanski, Robert Hostetler, and Teresa Lynn Gill.

Dale is lovingly remembered by his wife Mary Ann of Auburn; sons and daughter- in-law Cristopher Lynn of Auburn. Kenny Lee (Elora and Elina) of Plattsmouth, Kyle Loren and Lisa Marie of Plattsmouth; granddaughters Camilla Lynn and Lailla Ann; brothers and sisters Robert (Linda) Kalkwarf, Barb Petracek, Patricia (Wayne) Urbach, William (Gwen) Kalkwarf, Martha (Al) Hingst, Mary Ellen (Lyle) Calkins, Mike (Becky) Kalkwarf, Julie (Steve) Layton; sister-in-law Connie Kalkwarf; brotherin- law Mark Urbach; Mary Ann’s siblings Judy (Larry) Woolman, Mike (Gay) Gill, Patrick (Barb) Gill, Patricia (Jerry) Schulze, Shannon Gill, Danny (Kelly) Gill; brotherin- law Greg Bojanski; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial, celebrated by Fr. Christopher Stoley and Fr. Tim Danek, was Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Crete. Donna Havlat was accompanist and soloist for musical selections. Casket bearers were Nick Layton, Tom Petracek, Scott Henning, Adam Gill, Shawn Calkins, and Lyle Calkins. Burial was in St. Joseph Cemetery at Friend.

Services were entrusted to Hemmingsen Funeral Home of Auburn.