Kenneth Skarniak

Kenneth “Kenny” Skarniak, 76, of Grand Island died February 6, 2021 at his home. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Thursday, February 11, 2021 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. The Reverend Martin Egging will officiate. Burial will follow at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday at 4 PM with a vigil service at 6:00 PM at the church. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Online condolences may be directed to www.apfelfuneralhome.com.

Kenny was born on July 1, 1944 in Loup City, NE, to Waclaw “Vince” and Blanche (Grabowski) Skarniak. He grew up in Ashton, NE, and attended and graduated from Ashton High School in 1963. Following graduation Kenny entered the United States Air Force on June 21, 1963 and was honorably discharged on June 20, 1969. Kenny then worked for Chief Industries, at the airport as a mechanic, and had his own dump truck.

On June 15, 1981, Kenny was united in marriage to Catherine Atkinson at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. The couple lived in Grand Island and Kenny worked at the Power Plant as a mechanic in 1982 until he retired in 2010.

Kenny was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and the AMA (American Modelers Association). He also enjoyed restoring old cars and camping. After retiring Kenny devoted his time to building large scale model airplanes. It was both a labor of skill and love. One of his B-17 models is on display at a museum in Tennessee. His Stearman PT-17 will soon be on display at the Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum in Omaha.

Survivors include his wife, Catherine Skarniak of Grand Island, NE; children: Tanna (Kristen) Skarniak of Grand Island, LeRoy (Amanda) Skarniak of Cairo, NE, Nicole (Tyler) Holder of Grand Island; grandchildren: Breana (Jamey) Tapia, Kendra Skarniak, Chris Skarniak, Marcus Skarniak, Tyson Holder, Tristan Holder, and Colten Holder; great grandchild, Aurora Tapia; brother Jake Skorniak of Thornton, CO; and several special nieces and nephews.

Kenny was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Leonard Skorniak, and granddaughter, Teya Cook.