Ronald J. Kostal

Ronald J. Kostal, 86, of Odell, NE died April 27, 2015 in Lincoln, NE. He was born January 12, 1929 in rural Odell to Frank C. and Ella Mae (Shalla) Kostal. On June 4, 1944 Ron received his Confirmation of Faith, along with his family, at the Odell United Methodist Church.

He attended Prairie View District 88 country school southwest of Odell near where he grew up. When Ron started school, he only spoke Czech as that was all that was spoken in the home. When he started country school they made him learn English and his parents had to stop speaking Czech as instructed by his grade school teacher. However, at bedtime Ron would sneak down the stairs and he would sit and listen to the conversation spoken at night in Czech. Ron spent most of his childhood helping on the farm. He graduated from Odell high school in 1945 at the age of 16. After graduating from high school, when he wasn’t farming he spent some time traveling the United States with local friends.

Ron met JoAnn Weaver at a dance at Sokol Hall in Wilber, Nebraska in 1951. Ron and JoAnn were married January 1, 1952 in the Presbyterian Church in Steele City, NE. To this union three sons were born; Dennis Robert, Donald Leon and Douglas Earl. Ron and JoAnn recently celebrated their 63rd anniversary earlier this year. They lived southwest of Odell until 1982 when they moved east of Odell. Ron and JoAnn farmed and raised cattle their entire lives. He started farming with horses and saw the progression to modern day farming. Other hobbies included playing men’s fast pitch softball and bowling. Even though Ron loved his cattle, he chose to retire and sell his herd in 2002. While retired he spent most of his time enjoying his family, including his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Until his last days, he thoroughly enjoyed driving around and spending time looking at his farms.

Ron and JoAnn enjoyed taking trips to Missouri to spend time with grandson Josh, to Valentine to visit JoAnn’s brother and his family, and fishing trips to his brother Allen’s cabin. Other favorite hobbies and interests were Czech history, polka music and speaking Czech (mostly cursing ) to his grandchildren and laughing because they didn’t know what he was saying. He would later explain what he was saying and teach his grandchildren the meaning when they were old enough.

Ron was a hardworking and determined man. He was very proud of his family and this was his legacy. He was a detailed story teller and will be greatly missed by all.

Survivors include his wife JoAnn (Weaver) Kostal, sons Dennis (Eileen) Kostal, Donald (Terri) Kostal, and Douglas (LaRae) Kostal, grandchildren Andrea (Jeff) Humphreys, Alissa (Damian) Andersen, Brent (Abigail) Kostal, Derek (Morgan) Kostal, Travis Kostal, Brandon Kostal, and Joshua Kostal, great grandchildren Ashtyn, Braeden, Peyton Humphreys, Dalton and Devin Andersen, Preston and Austin Kostal, Easton and Adalynne Kostal, and two more on the way, sisters-in-law Mary Kostal, Barbara Kostal, and Shirley Kostal and many nieces and nephews, family and friends.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Frank W. and Allen (Red) Kostal, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jerry and Bonnie Weaver, and granddaughter Amanda Kay Kostal.

Services will be Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Odell, with Pastor Curt Magelky officiating. Burial at the Odell Czech Cemetery. Memorials will go to the church or the Odell Fire Department. The family will greet friends Wednesday the 29th from 6:30 – 8:30 at Vance-Gerdes Funeral Home in Odell. Vance-Gerdes Funeral Home in Odell is in charge of arrangements.