Richard J. Badura

Richard J. Badura

July 16, 1922 – March 30, 2024

Richard John Badura, age 101, passed away peacefully (after a brief illness), on March 30th at his home, surrounded by all seven of his children.  He was born on July 16, 1922, to Alex and Frances (Makowski) Badura, in Loup City, Nebraska. He graduated from Loup City High School and attended Kearney State College, where he played football until enlisting in the Army in 1945.

After the war ended, he returned to Kearney College, then attended the School of Mortuary Science in St. Louis graduating in 1948.  He returned to Loup City to start his funeral business.  In 1949 he married the love of his life, Alice (Honey Lou) Gzehoviak and began raising a family while operating the Badura Funeral Home.   After twenty years in the funeral business, serving people in need and being involved in every aspect of community and church, he shifted his career and moved to Iowa City, Iowa to work at University of Iowa Hospitals.  He was supervisor of the morgue in the department of Pathology and retired from the University in 1988.   Richard and Honey loved Iowa City, Hawkeye sports, gardening and being active in the community.

The couple moved to Omaha in 1991 to continue enjoying their role as grandparents as their family grew.  In 2004, they joined two of their daughters and two grandsons to create a multi-generational home, fondly known as the “big house”.  It was the gathering place for all holiday and birthday celebrations.  As Honey Lou’s health declined, Richard lovingly cared for her and was recognized as Caregiver of Year by Help Adult Services. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in 2014, the month before Honey Lou passed away.

Richard served in WWII as 1st Sergeant in the 371^st Engineer Construction Battalion in the European Theatre.  The Engineer Battalion was responsible for building bridges, railways and other structures to assist in advancing Patton’s Army.  As a member of the Greatest Generation, he was proud of his service and enjoyed sharing his experience.  His daughter Connie arranged to have him receive his military medals and planned a special trip to Washington DC to visit all the historical sites.  He was especially moved by the WWII Memorial.  In 2006 he participated in the Veterans History Project and his interview is on file at the Library of Congress.  He appreciated all the care and services he received as a veteran.

He was a compassionate, humble man of deep faith, always positive, thankful, and kind with a great sense of humor.  He enjoyed building, creating, remodeling projects, gardening, music, and spending time with his family.  He was a storyteller, from family history and childhood memories to life experiences of the past century. His stories were remarkable and will be cherished forever.  Richard was blessed with a long life, a big family and many wonderful celebrations. Peace, love and happiness was all he asked for.

He was proud of his legacy: seven children, eleven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.  His greatest joy was watching the littlest ones and keeping tabs on the generation of young adults.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents and his loving wife. He is survived by his children: Rick (Jeanette Lund) Badura, Francie Badura, Nancy Hurley (John) Connie Holmes (David) Jo Ellen Newell, Jackie (JB) Ring (Randy) and Stacey Taylor (Terry); grandchildren: Allison Holmes-Bendixen, Gretchen Lyons, Erin Hurley, Matthew, John, and Ben Badura, Jack Hurley, Tommy and Jason Newell, Alex Ring, Anna Ring Shearman; step-grandchildren: Shelby Taylor, Kaitlyn Taylor, Emily Taylor, Mattie Taylor; and ten great-grandchildren.

VISITATION: Thursday, April 11th, 5 to 7 p.m., at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church. 16701 S St., followed by VIGIL SERVICE at 7 p.m.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Friday, April 12th, 10:30 a.m., at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church.

Interment, Resurrection Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church (stephen.org) or Veterans Moving Forward (vmfne.org).

To view a live broadcast of the Vigil and Mass, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.