May 18, 1935 - Aug. 24, 2014
Dallas Dean Kotil was born on May 18, 1935, in Dorchester, to John and Irma (Gerner) Kotil Jr., and passed away on Aug. 24, 2014, in Lincoln, at the age of 79 years, 3 months and 6 days. He grew up in Crete and the Milford area and graduated from Milford High School in 1954.
He enlisted in the Army National Guard in May of 1954 and served until 1963. In the interim, he attended UNL and Lincoln School of Commerce and later graduated from the School of Banking in Denver, Colo.
Dallas was married to Iona, but they later divorced. Dallas was a part-owner of an electrical business in Crete before starting his career in the banking industry. He worked at Farmer Merchant - Union Bank in Milford for 25 years, retiring as a Vice President. Dallas was a soft-spoken man who would rather be seen than heard. He was instrumental in starting Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Milford, to which he was extremely faithful while living there. He married Darlene Luft on Aug. 6, 1975, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Darlene brought her four children into this union; he loved them dearly, and in return, they loved him.
Dallas was an avid reader, and he and Darlene enjoyed traveling the United States together; they visited every state other than Hawaii in their travels.
Dallas is survived by his wife, Darlene, of Lincoln, as well as four children: Rachelle Brown and husband Brian of Waterloo, Iowa, Rodney Luft and wife Pat of Lincoln, Rosalind Eldridge of Ellensburg, Wash., and Randall Luft and friend Liz of Santa Rosa, Calif. He is also loved by six grandchildren: Ryan Luft, Taylor Luft, Risa Eldridge, Jake Luft, Harrison Luft and Parker Luft. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law Roger Kotil and wife Shirleen of David City, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law, Dan Eldridge, and two brothers Elmer and Curly Kotil.
Funeral services were Aug. 29, 2014, at Christ Lutheran Church, 4325 Sumner St., Lincoln, with the Rev. Luke Schnake officiating. Memorials are suggested to the Kotil family for later designation to either the Diabetes Association or American Cancer Society.
