Lambert "Tom" Charles Dredla III

Lambert Charles Dredla III, known to friends and family as "Tom", passed away on June 30, 2018, at the age of 82 years. 

Tom was born on May 7th, 1936 in Lincoln, NE to Lambert Charles and Dorothy (Miller) Dredla, and grew up in Crete, Nebraska before moving to Kansas City and then to Hyannis in the fall of 1948.  He was the first ever captain of the Hyannis High School football team and also played on the basketball team.  After graduating in 1954, he went on to college attending Chadron State College where he majored in business and was a member of the gymnastics team. 

In 1959 he married the love of his life, Kleo Evert.  After graduating college, he worked with his father at the Hyannis Ranch Supply until he and Kleo bought the grocery store in 1973.  They owned the store for 25 years before retiring in 1998.  A respected member of the community, Tom volunteered for many local organizations and was a member of the Village Board.  Tom was active with the Hyannis Volunteer fire department for nearly 40 years and served as the Fire Chief for many of those years.

 His passion for the outdoors was passed down to many through his instruction in both Hunters Education and for the 4-H sharpshooters club.  Tom enjoyed hunting, fishing, reloading shotgun and rifle shells, golfing, and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Kleo (Evert), son Jack (Linda) of Hyannis, NE, daughters Jill (Tim) Lenz of Hyannis, Debbie (Steve) Clarke of Hyannis, and Anne (Ryan) Montanez of Highlands Ranch, CO.  11 grandchildren Dezarae (Brice) Lovell of Waverly, NE, Tia (Jeremy) Houser of Davenport, FL, Trevor (Kacie) Dredla of Battle Creek NE, Jordan (Chris) Farringer of Raymond, NE, Kylee Dredla of Scottsbluff NE, Amanda (Brian) Tedesco of New Orleans, LA, Kristin (Derek) Bilyeu of Springfield, MO, Courtney (Jeff) Knox of Bassett, NE, Cody Clarke of North Platte, NE, Colin and Carson Montanez of Highlands Ranch CO, 13 great-grandchildren and best friend and dog Sassy.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents Lambert and Dorothy Dredla, brother-in-law Richard Evert, sister-in-law Barb Evert and grandson Matt Lenz.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 5th at 2:00 p.m. MDT at Calvary Episcopal Church in Hyannis, Nebraska, with interment at Hyannis Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to Grant County Rescue, Sandhills Fire Department or Grant County Sharp Shooters.