Tuesday, December 29, 2015 ~ 10:00 a.m.
St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church ~ Wahoo, Nebraska
Interment at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery ~ Wahoo, Nebraska
Monday, December 28, 2015
Visitation ~ 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Knights of Columbus Rosary ~ 7:00 p.m.
St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church ~ Wahoo, Nebraska
In Care of the Family for Future Designation
Ernest B. Chapek, 73 of Wahoo, NE, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at Saunders Medical Center in Wahoo. He was born August 22, 1942 in Wahoo, NE to Bernard and Anna (Machovec) Chapek. Ernie attended St. Wenceslaus School and graduated from Wahoo Catholic High School in 1960. He graduated with honors from the UNL College of Business. On October 30, 1965, he was united in marriage to Marie Smetak at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Wahoo. Ernie worked for Woodmen Accident and Life in Lincoln for many years until his retirement.
Following his retirement, Ernie continued working in the insurance industry. Ernie enjoyed the farm life with his cattle and antique tractor collection, and especially enjoyed attending cattle shows and sales and participating in antique tractor pulls. Ernie also enjoyed spending time with the grandchildren while at the farm and at their sporting events. Ernie will be remembered as a great family man and as a community supporter.
Ernie was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus #1833. He served on the St. Wenceslaus Parish Council; he was a past president and member of the Saunders County Fair Board, and a lifetime member of the National Polled Hereford Association.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years Marie Chapek; children: Nancy (Erin) Marotz and David (Jill) Chapek; grandchildren: Tyler and Morgan Marotz, Kerstyn and Baylie Chapek; sisters: Mary Ann (Vennie) Kavan of Wahoo, Bernadine Tobey of West Point, Martha (Garth) Hengen of Mesa, AZ, Wilma (Roger) Matuska of Livermore, CA; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Bernard and Anna Chapek and brother-in-law Allen Tobey.
Ernie was a wonderful man and friend of ours since undergraduate at Nebraska. He always had a smile, got you looking at the bright side of every issue and was just done right fun to be with.
I also admired him for being so humble as he was extremely smart but never even told me he graduated number 1 in business administration until I read it in the newspaper. Even then said “No big deal”. Over the years we have been at many Nebraska communities polka parties and small town restaurants that we all have enjoyed so much.
He will be greatly missed and we give our condolences to Marie, Nancy and David and the entire family.
Our sympathy
John and Marlene Jonas
I am thinking of you during this difficult time. May God comfort you in the days ahead as Romans 15:5 says He supplies comfort and endurance. My deepest sympathies to the family of Ernie.
Ernie,s dad frank and my grandfather Anton were brothers our family sends our sincere condolences to Marie and the chapek family. Eleanore karnik freeman
I only met Ernie 2 times it was at Rezac’s Cafe . My mother Eleanore and my sister Linda along with our cousin Mary Lou Chapek all met for a late lunch.Ernie & Marie along with other family members gathered and have a wondreful time. I enjoyed talking to Ernie he was such a great guy he really made us feel like we were family member that had alway been togeather. My deepest symathies and my prayers are with the whole family. God bless you. Dan Freeman
So sorry for your loss Marie, Nancy, Dave and families. Ernie was a great guy always had a great smile and always greeted you where ever he ran in to you. He will be dearly missed.
Ernie was a great man, boss and mentor when I worked with him at MAAS. He was very humble and caring and always had that great smile. My sympathies to the family, of whom he was very proud.
My thoughts to Ernie and his family. He was on my board of the Nebraska Association of Life Underwriters in the 1980s. and was a thorough professional in our industry. We kept in contact over the years, and after he retired from Woodmen and went to work for Equifax—I worked with him there too. I will treasure his friendship and humor, and he will be missed by all that knew him. To his family—you’re in my thoughts and prayers, and our sympathies to all of you in his loss.
Marie, Nancy, Dave and your families — My sincere sympathy for your loss of your Husband, Father and Grandfather. Marie, words can not describe my sadness for you and your family. Our Prayers and Thoughts are with all of you. Ernie was a great friend and I admired him and respected him very much. We had so many fun times and discussions while we attended Insurance Meeting and working together. Ernie was loved by all that knew him — he was a wonderful man. God Bless Ernie and God Bless Marie and all Ernie’s family.
We send our sympathy to all the family.
Ernie got me started on my career in insurance and was a great mentor and boss. I will never forget his laugh and smile. Like Mark said, “he was one of the good guys.” Marie, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you.
My condolences to you all. Ernie made a fine contribution to life. He will be missed.
Maeann (Benson) Jasa and Janis (Benson) Levkoff.
So very for for your loss. Ernie was fair, impartial and a mentor and an encouragement to all in his presence, may our God of comfort and
console you in this most difficult time.
Most Sincerely,
J Brooks