Teddy Hugh Zabokrtsky

Teddy Hugh Zabokrtsky was born on June 9, 1942, in the Diamond Center Community in Southwest Washington County, Kansas, and passed away on May 28, 2024, at the Heritage Care Center in Fairbury, Jefferson County, Nebraska, at the age of 81. His parents were Louis P. and Ruby V. (Kuhl) Zabokrtsky. Ted began first grade at Liberty Country School, southwest of Hollenberg, Kansas, in September 1948. The family moved to a farm near Steele City, Nebraska, in December 1948, where he attended grade school and two years of high school. He graduated from Fairbury High School in 1960. During his time at Steele City High School, Ted participated in school plays, was a Student Council Member, Class President, and played basketball. At Fairbury High School, he was a member of the Spanish Club. Ted graduated from Fairbury Junior College in 1962, where he was a member of the Student Education Association (Teacher Education) and was crowned King of their 1962 Spring Sweetheart Royal Ball. Ted was an active 4-H member and belonged to the Oregon Trail Saddle Dusters Saddle Club at Steele City and the Rock Creek Riders Saddle Club of Endicott, Nebraska. He rode his favorite horse, "Bullet," in many horse shows in the area. For over twenty-five years, he participated in the Mid-Plains Wagon Train Ride and for many years helped his brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Rebecca Zabokrtsky, organize the ride. On November 18, 1959, Ted enlisted in Company C, 2nd Battalion, 134th Infantry, Nebraska Army National Guard, at Fairbury, Nebraska. He received Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and Advanced Individual Training and Basic Unit Training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, from May through November 1960. With a military rank of Specialist 4th Class, Ted was transferred to the Standby Reserve on February 17, 1964. He earned an M1 Rifle Marksman Badge, Carbine Rifle Sharpshooter Badge, and a Mortar Sharpshooter Badge. He received a Quilt of Valor in April 2021. Ted worked at Roode Meat Packing, Farmland Foods, and Endicott Clay Products. He married Sharon Kay Gaston on March 28, 1969, in the Fairbury Methodist Church. They were later divorced. Their son is Dustin S. Zabokrtsky. Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Ruby Zabokrtsky, in 1977 and 2003 respectively; brother Larry Kent Zabokrtsky in 1940; brother Jeffrey Zabokrtsky in 2005; brother Jack in 2015; sister Mardee Hughes in 2014; brother-in-law Edwin Hughes in 1996; nephew Ryan Hughes in 1994; brother-in-law Burdett Baldwin in 2009; sister-in-law Patty Zabokrtsky in 2015; and Sharon Gaston in 2015. Ted is survived by his son Dustin and wife Amy of Grandview, Texas, and granddaughter Madison Zabokrtsky of Altamonte Springs, Florida. He is also survived by his brother Bill Zabokrtsky and wife Jackie of Topeka, Kansas; brother Mitch Zabokrtsky of Fairbury, Nebraska; sister Judy Baldwin of Fairbury, Nebraska; sister Joleen Grammer and husband Terry of Fairbury, Nebraska; brother Butch Zabokrtsky of Wynnewood, Oklahoma; sister Ronda Dickson and husband Bill of Culver, Kansas; brother Steve Zabokrtsky and wife Christine of Endicott, Nebraska; sister-in-law Rebecca Zabokrtsky of Fairbury, Nebraska; sister Cindy Sawin and husband Larry of Washington, Kansas; brother Jerry Zabokrtsky of Steele City, Nebraska; and brother Doug Zabokrtsky and wife Sandy of Endicott, Nebraska. Additionally, he is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Services will be Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Steele City Cemetery followed by a Celebration of Life at the Presbyterian Church in Steele City. In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials will go to High Hopes - Whispering Acres Tails and Treasures. You may make a donation at whisperingacres.org or checks to Whispering Acres Tails & Treasures – 71765 581St Avenue – Jansen, NE 68377. This organization teaches kids how to ride and take care of horses, specifically focusing on youth with learning disabilities, needing vocational rehab, occupational therapy, behavioral therapy and disadvantaged youth. Whispering Acres has several programs and camps designed specifically for this population. www.gerdesmeyerfh.com

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