Thomas Alan Kastanek, 70, of Wilber, passed away May 3, 2023, in Lincoln.
He was born April 2, 1953, in Crete, to Lad and Dorothy (Swab) Kastanek. He grew up on the family homestead on Turkey Creek, northwest of Wilber. A lot of time was spent fishing and swimming in the creek. Tom loved to fish. The boys set bank lines in the morning before going to school, and checked the lines when they got home. He and his brothers walked to school at District 10. Growing up, he and his brothers helped haul and unload bales for several neighbors. When he was in high school, he worked for Bob Ahlschwede and learned to cultivate corn with a go-dig. He participated in wrestling and football in high school, was in FFA and played drums in the band.
After high school, he was all set to go to SCC in Milford, but came home one day and told his parents he had joined the Air National Guard. After basic training, he came home and bought a house on Capital Beach and worked at the Air National Guard. He married his high school sweetheart, Paula Slepicka. After she graduated with a degree in Nuclear Medicine, she got a job in Denver, so Tom transferred to the Colorado Air National Guard and was stationed at Buckley Field. They had one son, Paul, and later divorced. After a time, he married Rose Martinez, and they had a daughter, Jennifer.
Tom had his own farm equipment repair business and then worked for an outfitter, who guided mountain lion and bear hunts. They moved back to Nebraska and a couple of years later, he and Rose divorced. He met Linda Placek while working for the Saline County Roads Department in 1998. They were married in Auburn on June 30, 2000. They took many road trips to many states, visiting family and friends. Tom and Linda both enjoyed playing in the Wilber-Clatonia Alumni Band. He was a member of the Swanton American Legion and was presented a Quilt of Valor in August 2020 by the Swanton American Legion Auxiliary.
In, 2000, he bought a gravel truck business from Bernie Broz and hauled rock, gravel and sand to many customers, often taking Linda with him if it was on a Saturday. In 2015, Tom had back surgery, and was in pain for the rest of his life. In April 2023, he had his hip replaced, which went very well, and the pain had lessened greatly. The night before he was to have the staples removed, he and Linda talked about starting their road trips again. After suffering several heart attacks on May 1, he passed away surrounded by family May 3 at The Nebraska Heart Hospital.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Lad and Dorothy Kastanek; and stepson, Jason Placek. He is survived by his wife, Linda; son, Paul (Sarah); daughter, Jennifer (Marcus); brothers, John (Julie), Bill (Sheryl) and Mike (Sharon); stepsons, Ryan Placek (special friend Barb Mock), Russell Placek (Mary), Jeremy Placek (Jackie), and Keith Placek (Kristine); daughter-in-law, Jessica Placek; three granddaughters, Alonna, Ella and Olivia; step-grandchildren, Brissa (Jeremy), Brittany (Calvin) Zoe (Ethan), Makayla, Colton, Kyler, Evelyn, Joseph, Sylvia and Isaiah; and three step-great-grandchildren, Jordyn, Lucas and Arlo; sister-in-law, Cindi Jonas (Brad); brothers-in-law, Gil Krajnik (Karen), and Greg Krajnik (Paula); and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A Celebration of Life service will be Saturday, June 24, at 1 p.m. at the American Legion Park Building in Wilber. Casual dress requested. Memorial contributions are suggested to the family for future designation. Arrangements by Kuncl Funeral Home.
