Stanley J. “Bud” Karel, 73, of Valparaiso, passed away Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, at Bryan LGH East Hospital in Lincoln.
Stanley was born Jan. 23, 1950, to Stanley and Anna Karel (Kucera) in Jerome, Idaho. He graduated from Aquinas Catholic High School in David City in 1968. On May 16, 1970, he married Nancy A. Komenda at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Brainard. Three children were born to this union.
He was a member of St. Vitus Catholic Church in Touhy, Nebraska, and the St. Vitus Choir. Stanley worked for the Nebraska Department of Roads in Lincoln for 50 years.
Stanley is survived by his mother-in-law, Eleanor “Glee” Komenda of Brainard; son, Michael (Lisa) Karel of Seward; daughters, Rebecca McKelvey of Valparaiso and Jody (Jon) Hartmann of Colorado; brothers-in-law, John Holsan of Colorado and Randy (Bev) Komenda of Lincoln; sisters-in-law, Connie (John) Makovicka of Ulysses and Jan (Marvin) Bohac of Valparaiso; eight grandchildren, Reid, Regan, Claire and Caden Karel, Madison, Grant, and Chase McKelvey and Austin Hartmann; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Anna Karel; father-in-law, Theodore Komenda; wife, Nancy (Komenda) Karel; sons-in-law, Timothy Nordmeyer and Matthew McKelvey; brother, Jerry Karel; sisters, Anna Holsan, Barb (Clarence) Greguras, and Carol Karel; and nieces, Jeannie Greguras and Deborah Krause
A Funeral Mass was Aug. 21 at St. Vitus Church, Touhy with burial in Holy Trinity Cemetery, Brainard. Memorial contributions are suggested in care of the family for later designation. Arrangements by Chermok Funeral Home in David City.
