Barry Lee Kapke

Barry Lee Kapke, 72, of Fairbury was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who entered his heavenly home on May 20, 2024, at Bryan East hospital in Lincoln Nebraska.  He was born on March 13, 1952 in Fairbury to Theodore and Dorothy (Craig) Kapke.
Barry grew up on a farm north of Jansen.  He was third of four children.  As a child, he kept his mother, Dorothy, on her toes; she had to place him in a barrel next to her while she milked cows to keep an eye on him.  There was a time when he was a little boy that no one could find him, and once they did, they found him taking a nap in a culvert.
He was baptized by Pastor Lewis.  He spent his younger  years working on the farm and showing brown swiss cattle at the county fair, state fair, and Ak-Sar-Ben.  In addition to also showing cattle during his high school years, he also played football and wrestled.  He went to state one year for wrestling.  He graduated from the Fairbury High School in 1970.
He had a 1970 Chevelle he bought brand new that he enjoyed.  Out of high school, he devoted over 20 years to Consolidated Sand and Gravel.  When his father, Ted, retired, Barry took over the farm until he himself retired in 2017.  When Barry was farming, his equipment consisted of John Deere tractors and Massey Ferguson combines.
Barry and his wife Patricia (Pattie) were united in marriage on October 4, 1974; he passed away just shy of their 50th anniversary.  They met when Barry worked for Consolidated and Pattie worked for David Lottman Construction while the Kelwood Plant was being built.  Barry asked Pattie on a date and the rest is history.  Together, they had a beautiful marriage.
Barry loved the outdoors.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, running a trap line, and setting bank lines.  There was usually football on the TV.  He loved the Nebraska Huskers and was a devoted fan to the football and volleyball team.  He watched NFL as well, where the Chiefs were his favorite team, with the Packers being a close second.  Although, he liked to tease his granddaughter Tera when “her Packers” were not having a good season.  He and Garrett had many laughs over the Packers quarterbacks.  Barry loved spending time with his family and nicknamed his grandchildren “Snookums”.
He is survived by his wife Pattie Kapke; sons Jason Kapke and Heath Kapke; grandchildren Felicia Kapke, Tera (Garrett) Kapke, Katelin (Greg) Borch, Morgan (Noah) Kapke, and Teagan Kapke; and great-grandchildren Carter, Addison, Carson, Parker, Piper, Reed, Paisley, and Baby Boy Borch.
He is preceded in death by his parents Theodore and Dorothy, and his great-grandson Finley.
The family will host visitation for the family and friends at Gerdes-Meyer on Tuesday, May 28th at 6 PM.  Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 29th at 11 AM at First Christian Church in Fairbury, with Darlene Novotny officiating.