Kenneth B. Hrabik

Kenneth B. Hrabik, a.k.a. Kenny, Buckshot, Pow-Pow and Papa was born on May 3, 1927 in Crescent IA.

Kenny was a man with a gruff exterior and a heart of gold. He loved to cheer on the Huskers, to go camping and hunting and fishing, and was always there for his family and friends. He married Patricia Butler on October 25, 1952 and they had two boys, Jim and Mike. They were married almost 49 years when his wife passed away. He served in the U.S. Army (1949-52) and fought in the Korean war. When he came home from the war, he got a job with the Union Pacific Rail Road – where he had a career spanning over 35 years at the U.P. Shops. In the early years at the railroad he lacked seniority and would be laid off occasionally. In the off periods he helped a friend manufacture pop-up travel trailers. And after building them would deliver them around the country driving a semi. Kenny loved a good party, especially if they were serving his favorite brew, Falstaff beer. He and Pat had a small Mallard camper. It would be loaded to the hilt with food, clothes and bedding – he’d always comment that it would be dragging on the ground! He got the nickname “Buckshot” from hunting trips where on at least three occasions he got between the other persons shotgun and the birds. He still had buckshot in his back to this day. Kenny was a fantastic gardener too. He tilled up the alley behind their house and grew some of the best tomatoes ever, and of course he planted green beans, squash, radishes, onions and corn. He'd cuss the rabbits and squirrels that helped themselves to his bounty, then he'd put out dried corn on the cob for the squirrels and kept the birds fed too. He watched every spring for the wrens to come and build their nests in a couple of wren houses he kept for them. In 1975 his granddaughter, Jennifer, was born. She was the light of his life and he nick-named her Turkey, and it was a mutual admiration. Jennifer followed him around like a shadow and he made sure she was entertained by taking her for rides in the wagon, built her a swing in his back yard and made sure she had a swing set in our back yard for her too. She affectionately called him Pow-Pow. Kenny went through two open heart surgeries and made amazing recoveries both times. He was a strong, tough man and in spite of the fact whenever someone would ask him "How are you?" His response was, "I'm dying." It seemed that he wasn't ready to leave after all and stayed strong until the end. We’re relieved that he is at peace now with his wife and youngest son and pray God will hold him close. Preceded in death by wife, Patricia; and son, Michael. Survived by son, Jim (Colette) Hrabik; granddaughter, Jennifer (Douglas) Banks; great grandchildren, Grace, Caleb, Peyton and Gracie; many family and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to American Heart Association. MEMORIAL SERVICE: Friday, March 16, at 10am, with VISITATION one hour prior, all at Westlawn Hillcrest.