Obituary
Gene D. Hejhal, 82 of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, November 18, 2014 in Sioux City, Iowa.
Services will be held 10:30 am Saturday, November 22, 2014 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Salix. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation 4-8 pm Friday at Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City, 4125 Orleans Avenue, with the family present 6-8 pm and a Prayer Service at 7 pm.
Gene was born on January 7, 1932, on a farm south of Howells, Nebraska, the son of Joseph and Katherine (Bocian) Hejhal. He graduated from Howells High School. After graduation he served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, June 11, 1951 to June 10, 1955. Gene graduated from Wayne State College and received his Master's Degree in Administration from the University of South Dakota. He taught and was principal at Yutan, Nebraska High School for 4 years.
Gene married Diana L. Kroft at the Heun Parish, now know as the Holy Trinity Catholic Church on June 9, 1962. In August 1963 they moved to Sioux City and Gene taught Industrial Arts and Math at Woodrow Wilson Junior High for 30 years. From 1969 to 1971, the family moved to Guam where Gene taught Industrial Arts through the U.S. Government. After returning to the U.S., the family moved to Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. Gene later joined the 185th Air National Guard serving in Avionics and retiring in 1991.
Gene was a hard worker, experienced farmer and fantastic handyman. He enjoyed doing many activities outside including gardening, camping, fishing and traveling. He especially liked playing cards with family members. Gene was a member of Phi Delta Kappa and of the Knights of Columbus.
Gene is survived by his wife, Diana; son, Tim (Donna) Hejhal of Osage, Iowa; daughter Lori (Mike) Knight of Sioux City; son, Mark Hejhal of Sergeant Bluff; daughter Jeanna (Kirk) Lilly of Sioux City; 9 grandchildren: Brian (Nikki), Ben, Melissa and Makayla Knight; Sara, Trevor and Danielle Hejhal; Joslyn and Layla Lilly and 4 great grandchildren; two brothers, Joe Hejhal of Howells, NE and Elmer Hejhal of Fremont, NE; four sisters, Elsie (Gene) Alexander of Omaha, NE; Marylee (Adolph) Jindra; Katherine (Lawrence) Bayer; and Alice Krenk, all of Schuyler, NE; and many nephews and nieces.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Donald, John and James Hejhal; his sisters, Dorraine Hejhal and Tillie Krutz.
The family of Gene wishes to extend their special appreciation and thanks to the staff at Hallmark Care Center for the care they provided.
Services will be held 10:30 am Saturday, November 22, 2014 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Salix. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation 4-8 pm Friday at Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City, 4125 Orleans Avenue, with the family present 6-8 pm and a Prayer Service at 7 pm.
Gene was born on January 7, 1932, on a farm south of Howells, Nebraska, the son of Joseph and Katherine (Bocian) Hejhal. He graduated from Howells High School. After graduation he served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, June 11, 1951 to June 10, 1955. Gene graduated from Wayne State College and received his Master's Degree in Administration from the University of South Dakota. He taught and was principal at Yutan, Nebraska High School for 4 years.
Gene married Diana L. Kroft at the Heun Parish, now know as the Holy Trinity Catholic Church on June 9, 1962. In August 1963 they moved to Sioux City and Gene taught Industrial Arts and Math at Woodrow Wilson Junior High for 30 years. From 1969 to 1971, the family moved to Guam where Gene taught Industrial Arts through the U.S. Government. After returning to the U.S., the family moved to Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. Gene later joined the 185th Air National Guard serving in Avionics and retiring in 1991.
Gene was a hard worker, experienced farmer and fantastic handyman. He enjoyed doing many activities outside including gardening, camping, fishing and traveling. He especially liked playing cards with family members. Gene was a member of Phi Delta Kappa and of the Knights of Columbus.
Gene is survived by his wife, Diana; son, Tim (Donna) Hejhal of Osage, Iowa; daughter Lori (Mike) Knight of Sioux City; son, Mark Hejhal of Sergeant Bluff; daughter Jeanna (Kirk) Lilly of Sioux City; 9 grandchildren: Brian (Nikki), Ben, Melissa and Makayla Knight; Sara, Trevor and Danielle Hejhal; Joslyn and Layla Lilly and 4 great grandchildren; two brothers, Joe Hejhal of Howells, NE and Elmer Hejhal of Fremont, NE; four sisters, Elsie (Gene) Alexander of Omaha, NE; Marylee (Adolph) Jindra; Katherine (Lawrence) Bayer; and Alice Krenk, all of Schuyler, NE; and many nephews and nieces.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Donald, John and James Hejhal; his sisters, Dorraine Hejhal and Tillie Krutz.
The family of Gene wishes to extend their special appreciation and thanks to the staff at Hallmark Care Center for the care they provided.
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