Joseph Eugene Brazda Sr.

Joseph E. “Hummer” “Gold Watch Kid” Brazda, Sr. was born December 30, 1929 in Omaha, Nebraska to Lloyd Sr. and Mary (Olsufka) Brazda. Joe grew up in South Omaha, where he enjoyed playing baseball, hunting, and dancing. He graduated from Omaha South High School in 1948. Joe enlisted in the United States Army in January 1949 and proudly served until his honorable discharge in November 1951. Joe married Dorothy Kuszak and to this union, three children were born; Joseph Jr., Debra, and Diane. Dorothy preceded Joe in death. Joe married Velira “Cookie” Karasek on January 2, 1996 in Paradise Valley, Arizona, and the couple made their home in Bellevue, Nebraska. Joe held many sales jobs throughout his life, including T.S. McShane, and retired from MidCo Supply. He was a member of the south Omaha American Legion Post #331, and Eagles’ FOE #3912. Joe enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing, and cutting his lawn, and he loved Husker Football. He and Cookie would often go out dancing to country or Polka music. He could at times be found sipping on a bourbon and water, and was fond of saying, when someone made a putt, “even a blind squirrel finds an acorn”. Joe was a funny, warm-hearted, genuine, athletic man. He always had lots of jokes, and loved to make you laugh, and smile. There was never a dull moment with Joe. He was an accomplished softball player in Omaha-going back to when he was 17 years old, and he played for 38 years, retiring in 1984. In October 2013, he was recognized for his softball career with induction into the Omaha Metro Softball Hall of Fame. He was most proud of the birth of his children, and cherished spending time with his family. He will be remembered for his love of summer, his love of life, and his love of family. Joe died on Thursday, August 30, 2018 at the Millard Good Samaritan Center in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 88 years and 8 months. He was preceded in death by his parents Lloyd & Mary, 1st wife Dorothy (Kuszak) Brazda, grandson Mason Schultz, brother Lloyd, Jr., and sister & brother-in-law Delores “Red” & Robert Krueger. Joe is survived by wife Velira “Cookie” of Bellevue, son and daughter-in-law Joseph Jr. (Judy) of Beaver Lake, NE, daughters and sons-in-law Debra (Jaye) McAtee of Omaha, Diane (Tom) Stalnaker of Olathe, KS, stepdaughters Nina (Jarrod) Carter of O’Hara, GA, Nancy (Scott) Schultz of Elkhorn, 8 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, sister Rita (Don) Schamp of Omaha, brother Ray (Joanne) Brazda of Waterloo, NE, and sister-in-law Dorothy Brazda of Omaha, and many nieces and nephews. Joseph E. “Hummer” “Gold Watch Kid” Brazda, Sr., age 88, of Bellevue, 12/30/1929-8/30/2018. Retired from Midco Supply. Preceded in death by parents Lloyd & Mary, 1st wife Dorothy (Kuszak) Brazda, grandson Mason Schultz, brother Lloyd, Jr., and sister & brother-in-law Delores “Red” & Robert Krueger. Survived by wife Velira “Cookie” of Bellevue, son and daughter-in-law Joseph Jr. (Judy) of Beaver Lake, NE, daughters and sons-in-law Debra (Jaye) McAtee of Omaha, Diane (Tom) Stalnaker of Olathe, KS, stepdaughters Nina (Jarrod) Carter of O’Hara, GA, Nancy (Scott) Schultz of Elkhorn, 8 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, sister Rita (Don) Schamp of Omaha, brother Ray (Joanne) Brazda of Waterloo, NE, and sister-in-law Dorothy Brazda of Omaha, and many nieces and nepehws. Memorial service 5 PM Thursday at Reichmuth Funeral Home in Elkhorn with visitation from 3-5 prior to the service. Inurnment at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Elkhorn with military honors. Memorials to the family.

Joseph Eugene Brazda Sr.

December 30, 1929 - August 30, 2018