Luis Frank “Bud” Burianek

Luis Frank “Bud” Burianek

July 23, 1934 – May 11, 2024

Luis Francis “Bud” Burianek was born on July 23, 1934, in Marshalltown, Iowa to Yarmel and Gladys (Roh) Burianek. Following the death of his father in 1935 from appendicitis complications, Bud and his mother moved back to the Roh family farm in Abie, Nebraska. Gladys and Bud moved to Omaha when he started elementary school.

Bud attended St. John’s and Creighton Preparatory School when they were still located on the Creighton University campus in downtown Omaha. Ever the over-achiever, Bud graduated from Prep in 1950 at the age of sixteen.

Following in the footsteps of his admired uncle, Roman Roh, DDS, Bud enrolled at Creighton University in pre-dentistry. Too young for collegiate success, Bud’s dentistry aspirations were done in by organic chemistry. After a short hiatus, Bud enrolled at Omaha University – now UNO- and having enjoyed a major growth spurt was 6’3, smart, handsome, and way too social, making up for lost time. He soon determined that a college degree was not for him.

Bud met Arlene Hrbek on a blind date set up by a college buddy, and they married in September 1959.

Bud’s interests in sports and outdoor pursuits led him to a job at Sears and Roebuck sporting goods, where he won a national sales contest in 1962 and attended the Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, CA as the special guest of Hall-of-Fame player Ted Williams. In 1964, Bud became the manager of the GEM Store at 65^th and “L” Streets in Omaha, an early model for latter-day membership clubs. In 1969, Bud and Arlene started Steamatic of Omaha, Inc. building a successful carpet cleaning and disaster restoration business in the Omaha metropolitan area, which became the “go-to” insurance response team following the May 6, 1975, tornado in Omaha. Even after Bud’s “retirement” he continued to offer support and counsel until the business closed in 2015.

Bud and Arlene were blessed with five children: Lisa (John Cropley); Jeff (Jill Reel, M.D.); Laura (Mark Gilliland), Becky (Bryan Canaday) and Bret. Grandpa Bud was very proud of his grandchildren: Brooke Burianek Harms and Nicholas Burianek; Clark and Ali Gilliland; Tessa, Zoee and Trevor Canaday; Angus Cropley; and great-granddaughters, Annika and Nicklin Harms.

Bud had a lifelong love of fishing and hunting –and good dogs — sharing his appreciation of the outdoors and wildlife with his family and friends and making many happy memories in boats and duck blinds. Among his many achievements, Bud led the local chapter of Ducks Unlimited and proudly organized the most successful Game Dinner fundraiser ever held in Nebraska. A true sports aficionado, he followed men’s and women’s professional teams, college athletics (Go Huskers!), and his children’s and grandchildren’s endeavors on fields, courts, tracks and in pools across the country. He made a point of sharing the good things in life with his friends and family, which were known to feature good wine, roast duck, and expertly fried walleye.

Bud’s family would like to express their heart-felt gratitude and appreciation for the many caregivers, friends and other partners who supported Bud and his family with compassion and kindness during his illness and health challenges, especially the truly extraordinary care staff at Immanuel Lakeside Assisted Living and Tabitha Hospice Services. The care and grace offered to Bud during the past several months lightened our hearts and spirits.

Having lived nearly 90 years, Bud was predeceased by his parents, Gladys and Yarmel; grandson, Trevor Canaday. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Arlene; five children; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.

Visitation, Friday, May 17, 2024, 5:00PM at West Center Chapel, followed by Vigil Service at 6:30PM. Mass of Christian Burial, Saturday, May 18, 2024, 11:00AM, St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 5028 Oak Hills Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68137. Private Interment

Memorials to Creighton Prep or Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation.