GREELEY — The Rev. Thaddeus A. “Ted†Nekoliczak, 84, of Greeley passed away Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, at the Greeley Care Home.
Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Greeley. Celebrating Mass will be Most Rev. Joseph G. Hanefeldt, Most Rev. William J. Dendinger and priests of the Diocese of Grand Island. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Charles E. Martin American Legion Post #186. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m., with a rosary at 7 p.m. at the church. Memorials are suggested to Sacred Heart Parish or the family wishes. T.J. Finn and Sons Funeral Home of Greeley is in charge of arrangements.
Thaddeus Anthony Nekoliczak was born April 16, 1931, at O’Connor, Neb., to Henry J. and Katherine S. (Wilcynski) Nekoliczak. He spent his early childhood at O’Connor and west of Greeley, where he received his education at District 19 rural school and graduated from Greeley Sacred Heart School in 1948.
From 1948-1952, he studied for BA in Philosophy at St. John’s Home Missions Seminary in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 1953, he entered the United States Army and served as a Corporal during the Korean War.
On May 19, 1959, Rev. Ted was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop John L. Paschang at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Grand Island. He served in Grand Island and served as pastor of parishes at Bridgeport, Broadwater, Ashton, Scotia, Chadron, Valentine, Kearney and Sidney. In June 2001, Rev. Ted retired as parish priest. He resided in Kearney and continued in the ministry until he moved home to Greeley in April of 2013.
Rev. Ted was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a counselor for Higher Ground and was involved in Marriage Encounter and Bishops’ Pro-Life Pastoral Plan. He was instrumental in starting Charismatic Renewal in the Grand Island Diocese and also Mary Full of Grace Chapter of the Magnificat in Kearney.
He enjoyed golfing, gardening, jogging and traveling. He was an avid reader and enjoyed giving advice on the farm.
Survivors include one brother and sister-in-law, Henry “Joe†and Corrine Nekoliczak; a sister, Lorraine “Shootzie†Kelly, all of Greeley; 19 nieces and nephews; numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews; and the family would like to mention Sister Marietta Spenner of Colorado Springs, Colo., who co-ministered with him in Chadron and remained a close friend to him and his family. Rev. Ted has been a source of comfort to his family, friends and the many lives he has touched.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Eddie, Elmer and Louie; and five sisters, Alvina, Ethel, Mary, Peg and Penny. |