Richard
William Michl was born on August 5. 1938 to Louis and Katherine
(Morgan) Michl at Exeter, Nebraska. He passed away on June 30, 2021 at
the Fillmore County Hospital in Geneva, Nebraska at the age of 82 years,
10 months, and 25 days.
He attended Rural School District 95
and 5 and Exeter Public School, graduating in 1955. After graduating, he
worked for Reimers and Kaufman, Styskal Irrigation, and Allen Rohrig.
On March 23rd, 1958 he married Evelyn Shestak in Dorchester, Nebraska.
To this union three sons and a daughter were born. Richard farmed
southeast of Exeter for many years. Richard and Evelyn divorced in 1989.
On June 25, 1990, he married Carol (Kotas) Vavra in Omaha and they made
their home in Milligan where he resided until his death.
Richard continued to farm until 1997 when health issues forced him to
retire. He loved harvest and always looked forward to that time of the
year. After retirement, he drove a school bus and drove for the Houchin
Bindery and the All-American Bindery. He helped his sons farm whenever
he was able.
Richard served on the Exeter School Board,
Milligan Township Board and Chairman of the Exeter Methodist Church
Board. He was a past president of the Exeter Feeders and Breeders
Association and served on the Fillmore County Fair Board for many years.
He was a 4-H leader for nearly 25 years. Richard was a member of the
Milligan Methodist Church, the Milligan Fire Department and the Milligan
City Council, serving as Chairman for many years.
Richard was
known to be a fearless driver, driving trucks for the bindery through
any city with no problem. He lived for his kids and grandkids, spending
many hours attending their sporting events to cheer them on. He was an
avid Husker fan and especially loved football and volleyball. Richard
bowled on the Kassik Milling bowling team for over 40 years. He also
loved to play cards and never turned down a chance to play!
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Kathryn; two
brothers Robert Michl and William Michl; and an infant granddaughter
Theresa Katherine Michl.
He is survived by Carol, his wife of
31 years; sons Alan (Shari) Michl, Robert (Michelle) Michl and David
(Christy) Michl; daughter Nancy (Phil) Bargen; children of choice
Kathryn (Brad) Hockemeyer, Kristine (Brian) Roffman, and Allen (Carri)
Vavra; grandchildren Allison (James) Bitz, Nate (Abby) Michl, Max
Reinert, Jon (Emily) Michl, Michelle (Colby) Dahlke, Cindy, Elly, Lucas
and Logan Bargen, Sarah and Abby Hockemeyer; Kellen Roffman, and
Kaitlyn, Andrew and Aidan Vavra; great-grandchildren Evie and Jonah
Bitz, Hadlee and Bryson Michl, and Cason Michl; sister-in-law Sally
Michl; brother-in-law Larry (Karen) Kotas; and many other relatives and
friends.
