Norman R. Krolikowski

Norman R. Krolikowski, 54, of Cairo, died Saturday, March 30, 2019, at CHI Health Saint Francis in Grand Island. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Josaphat's Catholic Church in Loup City. The Rev. Richard L. Piontkowski will celebrate the Mass. Inurnment will be in the St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Ashton with graveside military honors by American Legion Post 108 of Ashton. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Josaphat's Catholic Church in Loup City, with a 7 p.m. vigil service. Peters Funeral Home of Loup City is assisting the family. Norman was born on Feb. 12, 1965, at Loup City, the son of Ronald H. and DeeAynee M. (Dembowski) Krolikowski. He grew up on the family farm east of Ashton and attended grade school in Ashton and then Loup City Public School, graduating from Loup City High School in 1983. While in high school he was involved in many activities, but his greatest love was playing basketball, which gave him many treasured memories. After graduating he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp, having served from Aug. 1983 until being discharged in Aug. 1987. He then attended Hastings College where he received his bachelors degree in business administration. He then worked for Adams Land & Cattle in Broken Bow and in 1993 he began working as a copier service technician in Central Nebraska. This was a job he worked at for 25 years. He was united in marriage to Sandra M. Jorgensen on Sept. 30, 1995, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul. The couple lived west of Cairo where they raised their two daughters, Casey and Emily. Over the years he was also always involved with the family farm near Ashton. In 2018, he fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a full time rancher. He was a member of Resurrection Catholic Church in Grand Island. He was also a former president of the Cairo Ball Association, active member of the Centura Booster Club and had coached softball, basketball and volleyball youth teams. Norm was very family oriented and loved the time they were able to spend together. He also had many other things he loved including: polka music, horses, John Wayne, good food, cold beer, woodworking and athletics. After being diagnosed with cancer in 2015, he began his courageous battle. His strong will to live and the great love for his family helped him to overcome great odds to fight to live another day. His family will miss him dearly. He is survived by his wife, Sandra Krolikowski of Cairo; two daughters, Casey Krolikowski and Emily Krolikowski, both of Cairo; his mother, Deana Kole of St. Paul; brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Rhonda Krolikowski of Ashton; sisters and brothers-in-law, Jude and Jake Eberhardt of Lincoln, Kayleen and Brian Grudzinski of Rockville, Geri and David Rademacher of Gun Barrel City, TX and Susan and Nate Worm of Roca; aunts and uncle, Annette Gallaway of Loup City, Darlene and Alozy Spotanski of Loup City and Delores Valasek of St. Paul; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Ronald Krolikowski; grandparents, Frank and Josephine Dembowski and Clarence and Regina Krolikowski; uncle, Ralph Krolikowski; and aunt, Doris Sack. In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials are requested to the family for later designation.