Gary Kapustka

Gary Richard Kapustka, aged 72, passed away on June 30, 2016 in the 6th floor Oncology Ward at Methodist Hospital in Omaha, NE. Gary was born August 26, 1943 to Richard and Hazel (Smith) Kapustka at the Comumminty Hospital in Broken Bow, NE. His sister, Cheryl, was born December 5, 1950 in Broken Bow as well. For the first 13 years of Gary’s life, his family made their home in Anselmo, NE. Gary enjoyed his childhood there and made many life long friendships. His family moved to Broken Bow, and Gary lived there until he graduated from Broken Bow High School in 1961. He then attended Chadron State College for two years, with the intent of becoming a Forrest Ranger. At the end of two years, Gary decided to enlist in the United States Army, and spent the next two years serving his country while stationed in Korea and working in the Motor Pool. Upon returning to Nebraska, he returned to school in Chadron and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Eduation with endorsements in 7-12 Social Sciences. He met his furture wife, Elaine Kay Connely, better known as Kay, in Broken Bow, and the two were married on August 19, 1967 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Broken Bow, NE. On June 22, 1968, a daughter, Kimberly Ellen Kapustka, was born while Gary and Kay lived in Omaha for approximately 7 months. In August, of 1968, he accepted a teaching position at Cambridge Public Schools in Cambridge, NE. On May 7, 1971, a son, Gregory Richard Kapustka, was born, and the family was complete. Gary went on to teach both middle school and high school Social Studies. He also was the Yearbook Sponsor, the Future Problem Solvers Sponsor, the Junior Class Sponsor for the Jr./Sr. Prom, the video recorder for many sporting events, and chaperoned several trips to Washington, D.C. with many students. He retired from teaching in 1998, after having spent 31 years with the Cambridge Public Schools. Gary was very devoted to family, community, and country. He assisted with 4-H for more than 10 years while his children were members, he served as an Emergency Medical Technician for the Cambridge community, and enlisted in the United States National Guard where he served as a Supply Sargent for 20 years. While stationed in McCook, NE, his unit was chosen to do special tank training in Germany for 3 weeks. With his love of history, geography, culture, and travel, he truly enjoyed this experience. He, Kay, and the children also sponsored a total of four foreign exchange students from the countries of Japan, France, Germany, and Denmark. The student to stay the longest was Palle Johansen of Denmark, and he lived with the Kapustka family during the 1985-1986 school year, graduating from Cambridge High School with daughter Kimberly. After retiring from teaching, he and wife, Kay moved again to Omaha, NE, ready for a new chapter in life. Gary took a job at Borsheim’s Jewelry as an armed security guard. After Borsheim’s Jewelry, he took a position at First Data Resources as a Personal Assistant. In the last few years, he worked as a Security Guard at Nebraska Furniture Mart. Gary’s great strength was his ability to recognize the gifts that each individual possesses. He sought this in each of his students, and it also allowed him to make friends with some truly wonderful people regardless of their gender, race, religion, political affiliation, or life choices. He always wanted to find the real person under the surface and to inspire others to do more than they thought possible. He was an avid reader, life long learner, outdoorsman, self-proclaimed movie critic, culinary adventurer, history and military buff, and enjoyed music of all genres. He is survived by his wife, Kay of Omaha, NE, daughter Kim Keene and son-in-law Richard of Omaha, NE, son Greg Kapustka and daughter-in-law Tanya of Cambridge, NE, grandchildren Billy Schnase, Katie Schnase, Reilly Keene, Jordan Keene, and Skylar Keene, Carley (Kapustka) Brandt, Daniel Brandt, Jessica Jording, Aleisha Allen, Lacee Allen, Ashley Walkington, Kayley Schwing, and Danley Walkington, a sister, Cheryl Franssen, and brother-in-law, Larry, mother-in-law, Jaunita Connely, and aunt Donita Ferguson. He was preceeded in death by his parents, Richard and Hazel Kapustka, Darlene Kapustka, fathers-in-law John Connely and Dean Gracey. Memorials will be held on Tuesday, July 5th from 6-10pm in Omaha, NE at the house of daughter Kim Keene, and Thursday, July 7th from 6-10pm in Cambridge, NE at the house of son Greg Kapustka. Funeral Services are Friday, July 8th, 2016 at 2pm at the Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow, NE. Kathy Salts will officiate. Burial will be at the Broken Bow Cemetery with Military Honors and the Patriot Guard riders. A memorial is being given in lieu of flowers to the 6th floor Oncology Ward of Methodist Hospital where Gary was given the absolute best of care in the last year. Donations can be sent directly to the hospital if specified for the South 6th Floor Oncology Ward, or given to the family directly. Gary’s legacy is the impact he left on the lives of every one that had the good fortune to meet him.