Mass of Christian Burial for Kenneth J. Hunke age 89 of Dodge, NE will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Dodge, NE with Fr. Walter Jong A Kiem as celebrant. Interment with Military Honors will be in the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m., and will continue one hour prior to the service at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. Minnick Funeral Chapel in Dodge is assisting the family with the arrangements. The mass will be livestreamed on the funeral home Facebook page at www.facebook.com/minnickfuneralserviceinc .
Ken passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 3rd, surrounded by family at the Parkview Home in Dodge, NE.
Kenneth was born on October 31,1934, to Bernard and Mary (Kreikemeier) Hunke on a farm near West Point. He attended country schools through 8th grade in Cuming and Dodge counties and graduated from Dodge High School in 1952. He then served in the U.S. Navy from 1953-1957 where he was a star pitcher for the Naval Station Zippers.
He married Norma Cada at Ss. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Clarkson on May 26, 1959. They lived on a farm near Dodge for 12 years and then moved to a farm near Howells in 1971. They retired from farming in 2007 and moved to Dodge.
Kenneth was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Dodge where he served as an usher for many years. He belonged to the Howells Knights of Columbus and was a member of the Dodge American Legion.
Kenneth is survived by:
Daughters-
Tammy (Dan) Volnek of Lincoln and daughter, Delaney Volnek
Deb (John) Minarick of Naperville, IL, and family, Benjamin (Kelly) Minarick, Zachary Minarick, and Rachel (Matthew) Van Dyk and daughter Avery
Sons-
Mark Hunke of Dodge and family, Tyler Hunke and Kristin Hunke
Duane (Lisa) Hunke of Holdrege and family, Megan (Christian) Lomax, Jared Hunke, Emily Scism and children Peyton, Kayden, and Cooper, Austin Schamp, and Parker Schamp
Bruce (Keri) Hunke of Gretna and family, Brooklynn Hunke, Jordyn (Stephen) McConnell and son Briggs, and Garrett Frazier
Brian (Jill) Hunke of Columbus and family, Sydney Hunke and Reid Hunke
He is also survived by his brothers Harvey (Flo) Hunke of Elkhorn, Virgil (Marlynn) Hunke of Snyder, Alvie (Carolyn) Hunke of Dodge, and Larry (Vicki) Hunke of Dodge; sister-in-law Carolyn Barta of Parker, CO and brother-in-law Paul (Lorrie) Cada of Schuyler; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Norma, his parents, his parents-in-law, Milo and Vlasta Cada, his brother, Eugene (Marlyn) Hunke, his sister, Darlene (Clarence) Kassmeier, his sister-in-law, Kathy Hoskinson, and his brother-in-law, Norbert Barta.
Kenneth will be remembered for his proud farmer’s work ethic and his wise-cracking banter.
The family suggests that memorials be directed to Dodge Fire & Rescue.