Terrance "Terry" Pesek

Terrance “Terry” Edward Pesek was born on November 27, 1941 — first son to Edward Pesek and Valera Cernik Pesek. He grew up with his brothers Gerald and Don on farms near Elkhorn and Valley Nebraska, attending Elkhorn Schools and graduating from Elkhorn High School in 1960. He then went on to earn his degree in Engineering from University of Nebraska Omaha in 1965, and then his PE (Professional Engineer) license in 1970. While in the process of earning his degree, he also worked multiple jobs to save for his beloved red 1965 Corvette. He proudly served in the US Army Reserves during the Vietnam conflict as a Military Policeman in Washington DC. While working as a design engineer at Kirkham Michael, he met Pauline Selenke after an afternoon of sand volleyball with mutual friends. They married on December 28, 1968 at St. Cecelia Cathedral in Omaha, surrounded by family and loved ones who braved a snow storm to celebrate. Terry eventually went on to Stang Corp, and then was hired as Director of Public Works for the City of Omaha, where he managed cleanup during and after the massive blizzard and destructive tornados of 1975. He was also instrumental in saving the then-threatened Orpheum Theater in downtown Omaha, working long hours and convincing local businesses to donate goods and services for its renovation and reopening as a cultural and historic hub for the city. Terry and Pauline settled on his beloved farm off of West Dodge Road near Waterloo, where they had two children — Tom and Margaret — and eventually became the beloved “Papa T” with the arrival of Sophia and Lydia to Tom and his wife, Sarah. One of his favorite projects was the refurbishing of his parents’ cinnamon brown 1971 Chevelle Malibu. Terry loved his mother’s and wife’s home cooking, and preferred it to dining out almost every time. He also particularly enjoyed travel, both on family trips to Mexico, Belize, Europe and Hawaii, but also to visit family and friends around the United States. He was known by many for his love of the family farms, for his laughter and jokes, his caring and generous spirit, a love of animals (particularly wayward kitties who arrived on the farm), and his quiet, deep sense of faith. He was decades-long member of his parish’s chapter of the Knights of Columbus, and enjoyed helping with their events whenever possible. Terry was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Valera Pesek. He is survived by his wife, Pauline Pesek; children, Thomas (Sarah) Pesek and Margaret Pesek; granddaughters, Sophia and Lydia Pesek; and brothers, Gerald and Donald Pesek. VISITATION: 5-7pm Friday, August 29, 2025 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Valley, NE followed by a VIGIL SERVICE at 7pm. FUNERAL MASS: 10:30am Saturday, August 30, 2025 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Valley, NE. A private family burial will be held at a later date. Memorials may be directed to St. John's Catholic Church in Valley, NE or to the Knights of Columbus in Valley, NE.

Terrance "Terry" Pesek

November 27, 1941 - August 24, 2025