George Kretz, 75, of Schuyler

George Kretz, 75, of Schuyler died on March 1, 2024 at Schuyler CHI Hospital.

In lieu of plants, flowers, and statues, memorials can be directed towards Family Wishes for a later designation.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, March 8, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in Schuyler. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4 until 7 p.m. at the church with a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 7 p.m. Visitation will resume on Friday from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery with lunch following at the St. Mary’s Social Center. Svoboda Funeral Home is handling arrangements for George’s family.

George Joseph Kretz was born during a blizzard on January 30, 1949 snowstorm  to Thomas A. and Clara L. (Loeffler) Kretz in Columbus, Nebraska. The sixth of eight children, he was born at the local hospital because of complications his mom had during pregnancy. And to be honest, that was only the start of the troubles George would cause for his parents.

Numerous stories abound of the “fun” he had with his siblings and neighborhood kids, which in retrospect, make us all laugh.

He graduated from Scotus Central Catholic High School in 1967. He played football and basketball, but being the second of three boys, his older brother, Tom, who he looked up to, got the majority of the athleticism.

He met the love of his life, Teresa Coufal, at a dance at the Oak Ballroom in 1969. They  married on April 28, 1973 in Lincoln, Nebraska.

In May 1975, he moved with his family to Schuyler, after a job offer from his father-in-law to work at Coufal Lumber. He always said it was the best decision so his girls could grow up close to their grandparents.

In 1988, he began practicing Taekwondo, eventually earning his 6th Degree Black Belt in 2017. He also taught Taekwondo at the Oak Ballroom in Schuyler for nearly 30 years.

When he wasn’t at work or Taekwondo, George could be found tending his vegetable gardens. At the end of the season, he would spend countless hours canning tomatoes, peaches, pickles and salsa. He loved to make pie with lard in the crust and peels on the apples (much to the chagrin of the county fair ladies). Fishing was another pastime he much enjoyed – with friends, his grandson, and many nephews. If he was in his garage, he might be repairing the bike tires or pumping air into basketballs for the neighborhood kids. And if he was in his shed, he was likely working on a project for his wife or daughters.

Regardless of where he was or who he was with, George had a smile on his face, a story to share, a nickname to give.

George was a member of Divine Mercy Parish, the Knights of Columbus, Sons of the American Legion, and the Schuyler Eagles. He also served on Schuyler City Council, starting in Dec 2020.

George is survived by his wife of 50 years, Teresa; daughters Jessica (Jim) Macholan of Linwood; Abbie Kretz of Omaha; grandson Keaton (Aubrie) Macholan and great-granddaughter, Layken Macholan, all of Linwood. Sisters Marg (Marv) Papa of Bellwood; Marilyn (Bill) Wondra of Columbus; brother Bob Kretz of Columbus; Sister-in-Law Mary Kretz of Worthington, MN; brother-in-law Lester Crumley of Columbus. In-laws Bob Coufal of Calabash, NC; Bill (Kathy) Coufal of Omaha, NE; Pat Cox and Mary Welch of Loveland, CO; numerous nieces and nephews, and grand-pups Macy, Phoebe, Ruby, and Ellie and many neighborhood cats.

Preceded in death by his parents, siblings and their spouses Betty (Carroll) Moore, Norma (Raymond) Hahn, Tom Kretz, and Mary Jane Crumley. In-laws Eldred and Anna Marie Coufal, Ann (Dick) Crawford, Judy Coufal, Bill Cox, and Dwayne Welch. And also many dogs and cats.