Richard R. Homolka, Sr.

Richard Homolka Sr, 91 left this world behind on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at Tiffany Square surrounded by his family. Visitation and Rosary will be Monday March 7 at Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island from 4-7 pm. Funeral services will be Tuesday, March 8 at 10:30 am at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul, NE. Father Vince Pearson’s and Father Sid Bruggeman will officiate. His final resting place will be in West Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Grand Island.



Richard’s life began on May 14, 1930 in Garrison, Nebraska, the son of Rudolph and Agnes (Buresh). He got his education in a one room schoolhouse through the 3rd grade when he had to leave school to help on the family farm. The family later moved to Grand Island where Richard went to the Cherry Street Dance Hall on a Saturday night where he met “the one” Miss Betty Davis, and he was instantly smitten with her. After dating for two years they married on May 17, 1952 by the justice of the peace and again on June 23, in the church. They lived most of their married life in Grand Island until 1981 when they moved to Farwell, Ne. The two were together just shy of 48 years. To this union the couple had 4 sons and 3 daughters. While growing their family Richard worked at the Alfalfa Mill as a general manager/mechanic, moving on to Fayette’s as a welder and later he went to work for John Vanosdall as a sanitation engineer (garbage man). Richard was a superior welder and received several certificates for his welding talents. A trade he passed on to several of his children. He was also master mechanic and there wasn’t an engine or transition that he couldn’t figure out and fix.



After the loss of his wife in 2000, Richard stayed in Farwell until moving to St Paul in 2008 where he lived until moving to Tiffany Square in June of 2021. Richard would talk to and befriend everyone. He joined the coffee club in Farwell and would have coffee at Skyline and the Sweet Shop just to visit with others. He would go on daily walks and talk to everyone or sit on the front talking to his neighbors that went by. During his time at Tiffany’s, he spent the summer sitting out front talking to everyone walking in or out of the facility. He was also man that loved his family and he loved to spoil his grandchildren, great grandchildren and great, great, grandchildren and because of that they have a lifetime of memories of their time spent with him.



Those left to cherish his memory are sons Richard Homolka Jr (Butch) and wife Sandi, Dean Homolka and wife Patty all of Grand Island, Tony Homolka of Henderson, Ne and Russell Homolka and Deena of Farwell, Ne. Daughters Betty Roebuck of St Paul, Ne and Ann Schleicher and husband Terry of Grand Island 15 grandchildren, Tony Jr, Chad, Tricia, Shawn, Jeremy, Travis, Misty, Bradley, David, Jr, and another Jeremy, Mandy, Stacie, Russell Jr, and Aaron. 51 Great Grandchildren and 8 Great, Great Grandchildren. Brothers Rudy Homolka of Kimberly ID and Joe Homolka and wife JoAnne of Spokane, WA as well as several nieces and nephews.



He was proceeded in death by his wife, sisters Mildred Corman, Julianna Kundna and sister in law Carolyn, daughters Susan, Debbie Homolka (late wife of Tony), grandson Jeremy Roebuck and Great grandsons Beau Pecor, Logan Homolka, Nathaniel Homolka and Lucas Homolka as well as Great granddaughter Mia Homolka.