Funeral services for 87-year old Kenny Kudrna of Hay Springs, NE, are Thurs, Nov 9, 2023 at 10:00 at the Hay Springs United Methodist Church with Paul Smith the officiating pastor and Rod Heilbrun the guest pastor.
Burial will be at the Beaver Valley Cemetery, about 15 miles north of Hay Springs.
Memorials are suggested for the Hay Springs High School Chapter of FFA – Future Farmers of America, and the Hospice program at Chadron Community Hospital and Home Services. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337
Online condolences may be left at chamberlainchapel.com
Kenneth E Kudrna was born April 2, 1936, to Christine (Hoyda) and Frank Kudrna. He died Sunday, October 29, 2023 at his home in Hay Springs with the comfort of his family.
Kenny was born at his family home in rural Hay Springs and grew up in rural Dawes County. He attended Antelope Valley Elementary School and later graduated from Hay Springs High School. During his school years, Kenny was involved in FFA along with other school activities.
He “placed” with his cattle in FFA competitions and his love for cattle begin to grow. He spent much of his younger years working on his family farm, but also did custom swathing and baling as a source of income.
Kenny married Selma Lundy on Wednesday, September 17, 1958 and they shared their life together beginning with his service in the U.S Army. He was a SP4 E4 with the 68th Artillery with the Missile Defense System, working first with the Ajax and then the Nike missile while stationed at Air Force bases in South Dakota and Minnesota.
Kenny and Selma later purchased the Crawford Dotson Farm southwest of Hay Springs, where they became active in land preservation practices for their farm/ranch. Together, they also built their home on the original ranch house foundation on the property.
In January 1963, Kenny and Selma welcomed their first-born child, Julie, into the world. They continued working on their home and finished it just in time to celebrate Julie’s first birthday. Their family grew again in March 1966 with the birth of their son Kevin. Kenny and Selma continued raising their family and taking care of their crops and cattle.
Kenny enjoyed being outside and staying active as he loved to watch the sun rise and set every day. He was also an avid reader and learner who enjoyed studying topics in depth. Kenny loved local history and sharing stories with his friends and family. As the years passed he became something special, a “grandad.”
Kenny spent a lot of quality time with Selma, his children, and his grandchildren planting trees. Together, they planted over 100,000 tress. Kenny was very proud when awarded the NRD Tree Planter of the Year award in 2003. He was also the only non-government member of the board for the U-S Forest Service Bessey Tree Nursery and was honored for being a good steward of the land.
Kenny was known for his adventures, including becoming a pilot and traveling with Selma in their planes. He also had fun traveling with the Security Bank Gold Club, which allowed him to see new sights and meet new people.
Kenny and Selma enjoyed their travels and new experiences until her passing in August, 2011, but Kenny’s adventures didn’t end there. Years later, he found a special friend in Charlene, and they went on to make many memories together. Kenny enjoyed Charlene’s companionship throughout the remainder of his life and often told stories of their travels and experiences together.
Kenny enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow into adulthood and later becoming a great-grandpa. Throughout the years, Kenny was also always involved with his brother and sisters; he loved drinking coffee with them and sharing childhood stories – gently ending each conversation with the words “Take care now.”
Kenny was a one-of-a-kind man who always made sure his family was taken care of and his cattle were fed. He never spoke poorly of others and would settle any disagreement with a simple eye-roll. His contagious laugh and smile will truly be missed, along with all his innocent pranks.
Kenny survived by his children Julie (Ken) Eckland of Scottsbluff, NE; and Kevin Kudrna of Hay Springs; his siblings Joanne Middleton of Park City, MT; Delbert (Betty) Kudrna of Hay Springs; and Doris (Jim) Larsen of Park City, MT; grandchildren Chris (Nichole) Drake, Trisha Kudrna, Kelsey (Mike) Opitz, Augusta (Skylar) Gartamaker, Justin (Heidi) Eckland, and Travis Eckland; and great-grandchildren Jackson, Brantley, Parker, Blaine, Ezra, and Hadley.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and his older sister.
Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron is in charge of arrangements for Kenny Kudrna