Kayleen A. Lukasiewicz

Kayleen A. Lukasiewicz, 79, of Farwell, died Thursday, July 15, 2021, at CHI Health Bergan Mercy in Omaha, surrounded by her loving family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Farwell. The Revs. Vince Parsons and David Rykwalder will concelebrate the Mass. Burial will be in St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery near Farwell.

The Mass will be livestreamed on Peters Funeral Home Facebook page. The direct link for that page is www.facebook.com/PetersFuneralHomeSP.

Visitation will be Monday at the church from 5 to 7 p.m., with a 7 p.m. Parish Rosary.

Memorials are suggested to the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the family.

Kayleen was born on March 17, 1942, in Grand Island, the daughter of Edward R. and Helen (Kowalski) Yocum. She attended Grand Island Public Schools and graduated from Grand Island Senior High in 1960.

She was united in marriage to Larry L. Lukasiewicz on Sept. 3, 1960, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Grand Island. The couple lived on the family farm until 1973, when they moved into Farwell.

Kayleen had a very extensive education and never attended college at any time for other than night classes and summer school. She earned all four degrees literally “on the road”. Receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 1971, Master’s degree in Elementary Education in 1981, Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling in 1983 and Master’s degree in Principalship K-12 in 1987. She also took Graduate studies towards her Doctorate through UN-L. She worked in Education for 42 ½ years as a teacher, guidance counselor or principal at Dannebrog, Farwell, St. Paul, Sts. Peter & Paul, Wolbach, Loup County, Elba and a second time at Farwell. She was also elected to the position of Howard County Schools Superintendent in 1998.

She was an active member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and its CCW and served as a lector, Eucharistic Minister, Confirmation class teacher, parish council member and team member and speaker for Cursillo and Christians Encounter Christ retreats. She was the current President of the DCCW for the Grand Island Diocese and member of Catholic Daughters of America Sacred Heart Court of St. Paul. She was a member of the National Education Association and held offices in the Nebraska State Education Association. She was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma teacher society, Carl Mogensen American Legion Auxiliary Unit 119 of St. Paul and served on the Howard County Historical Society board. Over the years she had also held memberships with the Platte Valley Sam’s Camping Club, Eagles and Platt-Duetsche. In her spare time, she served as Farwell Village Clerk 1985-1995, created a Little Free Library in Farwell and was a volunteer for the St. Paul Thrift Store for the Hospital Auxiliary.

Kayleen enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, playing games of all kinds with her grandchildren. One of her greatest joys was traveling, whether it was planning every detail of family vacations or traveling abroad numerous times. Her last trip was a much-loved trip to the Holy Land.

She is survived by her children and spouses, Shelley and Daniel Hill of Papillion, Mother Lucy Lukasiewicz of Prayer Town, TX, Philip and Tracey Lukasiewicz of Farwell and Jolene “Jodi” and Jeff Lies of Omaha; 12 grandchildren, Lukas and Lauren Hill, Logan and Nancy Hill, Eilish and Andrew Knieriem, Jordyn Lukasiewicz and Ryan Twehous, Jared Lukasiewicz, Joseph Lukasiewicz and Michael, Sarah, Matthew, Aaron, Caleb and Jacob Lies; 4 great grandchildren, Brady, Brody, Sophia and Rowan Hill; sisters and brothers-in-law, June Ziola of Grand Island, Donna and Julius Doehling of Grand Island, Joan Hansen of Grand Island, Dell Rae Barrett of Omaha and Gary Spak of Mercer Island, WA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Larry Lukasiewicz on June 20, 2018; sisters, Bell Jean Anderson, Ida Mae Dombrowski, and Louise Fieldgrove; brother, Bob Modesitt; and sister-in-law, Jeanette Spak.