Edward Kotas

Edward John Kotas, 79, of Western, NE passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 25th at his home. He was born on December 30, 1941, to Edward and Marie (Novy) Kotas at the homestead in central Saline County, the youngest of 5 children. As a child he attended Liberty School District 32 thru 8th grade. He always rode a horse to school and then wrapped the reins around the staddle and sent the horse home. He then graduated from Wilber High School in 1958 where he was a member of the Future Farmers of America. Following High school, he trucked for Melvin Kastanek and was a member of Friend-Beaver Saddle Club. In 1964 he was drafted into the army where he served his country for 2 years which included a tour to Vietnam. On August 9, 1969, Ed was united in marriage at Zion Lutheran Church to Linda Bartels. They were married for 52 years. From this union are two sons who they raised on the family farm. Ed was a lifelong farmer who grew crops for the cattle he raised, he did custom windrow and baling and did livestock trucking. In addition to farming, he sold feed off the farm under the name Kotas & Sons. Over the years he worked at the Friend, Crete, and Beatrice 77 livestock markets. He loved his horses and enjoyed attending horse auctions around the region. Ed was a member of Dorchester American Legion, and a lifelong member of Saline Center Lodge 389. In September of 2003, Ed and Linda moved off the family farm to the village of Western. Even after moving to town, he still helped with the farming and custom trucking until he retired in 2015. Often, he is found watching sports in his lounge chair. Ed was very proud of his grandchildren and talked greatly about them. When talking about his great grandchildren especially, he always had a smile on his face. Even though he didn’t see them often, he was always curious about how they were doing and wanted to know what was going on in their lives. Ed was survived by his wife Linda, his two sons Greg (Amy) Kotas of Loup City and Darin (Cindy) Kotas of Western, Grandchildren Kelsey (Tate) Ziebart, Michelle, Katelyn, Kristin, Megan, and Amber Kotas, Jakob Piontkowski, April Rademacher, and Abbie Obermiller. Great-Grandkids Sawyer Obermiller and Tilly Ziebart. Sisters Shirley Znamenacek, Marlene Stehlik, and sister in laws Ardell (Richard) Endorf, Diane (Alan) Krupicka, and Arlene (Charlie) Filipi, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, In laws Martin and Lorna Bartels, Sisters Norma Sysel, Darlene Kasl, brother-in-laws Joie Sysel and Richard Stehlik, and Nephew Gaylen Sysel.Services held on Thursday, December 2, 2021 at 10:30 A.M. at Saline Center. Casual attire is requested. Visitation: Wednesday, December 1, 2021 from 4 – 8 P.M. at Kuncl Funeral Home in Wilber. Memorials in lieu of flowers to be designated at a later date. Please visit www.kunclfh.com. b

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