Neal Gordon Kubik died unexpectedly on October 7, 2016 in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 39. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Pender, NE; Pastor Beverly Rautenberg-Panko and Gretchen Ritola will be officiating. The visitation will be held on Monday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Pender. Burial will be in the Rosehill Cemetery of Pender. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Neal Kubik Scholarship fund that has been established with Frontier Bank in Pender, NE. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender.

Neal was born on January 12, 1977 in Pender, NE to Duane and Linnea. He graduated from Pender Public Schools in 1995 and Midland Lutheran College in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He married his college sweetheart Emma Pesek (1995 Minden High graduate), in 2000. The couple welcomed 3 children into their home and Neal set about teaching them how to love and be generous to everyone around them.

His wife and children were his greatest passion. He loved spending his time with them. He was a wonderful husband and dad. Simply, the BEST! He coached all 3 kids in numerous sports and was their biggest fan. All children that he coached loved Neal for being patient, helpful, and kind. He also loved walks especially with his wife and children. His favorite part was eating a cookie with grandma Viola at the end of the walk. He loved the outdoors and could always be found in the yard whether he was working on the lawn or playing football, basketball, or any sport with his kids and their friends. His smile, wave, and presence will be missed by the entire neighborhood and community.

For the last 2 years, Neal was employed at Gralheer Insurance. He loved the flexibility of being able to be there for his children for every school activity, and to spend time with family and friends. He loved to travel and had been to places like San Diego, Phoenix, Fresno, The Bahamas, Okoboji, Spirit Lake, Branson, and Chicago in the last few years and made unforgettable memories. The flexibility also allowed him to help his dad and Grandpa Lavern with harvest. He was known for being the one that would always give you a ride in the tractor no matter how busy it was, and you could honk the horn as much as you wanted. He really enjoyed spending this time with his dad and Grandpa Lavern and looked forward to it every year.

Neal loved sports. He organized a Wednesday night basketball league in the winter for many years which he loved participating in. He especially loved trying to keep up with the guys that were half his age. He also loved to golf and to cheer on his favorite teams like the Huskers, the Twins, the Bears, and the Arkansas Razorbacks. He loved and followed them passionately even when they were terrible.

Neal was an active member in the community and church. His service will be missed by many community organizations such as the Pender Betterment Group, The Pender-Thurston Education and Community Foundation Fund, and the Community Center Facility Committee. He also served on the church council for many years.

Neal leaves behind his wife, Emma Kubik; children, Bailey (13 ½), Abigail (12), and Drew (6 ½); parents, Duane and Linnea Kubik of Thurston, NE; sister, Tanya Jelsma and husband Justin of Jackson, NE and children Trayvin and Everlee; brother, Lee Kubik and wife Cassie of Jackson, NE and child Rosie; father-in-law, Rich Pesek and wife Cathy of Heartwell, NE; sister-in-law, Melissa Anderson and husband Jay of Grand Island, NE and children Jillian, Lauren, and Sean; sister-in-law, Gretchen Pesek and fiancé Nick Schneider of David City, NE; sister-in-law, Patty Wiehn and husband Jason of Shelton, NE and children Kyle, Kyson, Justin, and Emily; brother-in-law, Danny Pesek of Loomis, NE; and grandparents, LaVern and Viola Kubik of Pender, Densil and LaDonna Sebade of Emerson; and grandmother-in-law Merribelle Jorgensen of Minden, NE; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.