Eileen R. Kucera, 87, of Bellwood, died Friday, August 22, 2025 at the Butler County Health Care Center in David City.
Funeral Service
Thursday, August 28, 2025 10:30 a.m.
St. John's Lutheran Church, Schuyler, Nebraska
Jerry L. Kracl, Officiating
Visitation Wednesday, August 27, 2025 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Kracl Funeral Chapel, Schuyler.
Additional visitation Thursday one hour before service at the church.
Committal in Schuyler Cemetery
Lunch in the Church hall
Memorials to the family for future designation
Eileen Ruth (Stueckrath) Kucera was born on September 2, 1937, in rural McLean, Nebraska to Oscar and Lillie Stueckrath. She was baptized on October 30, 1937, and confirmed on May 13, 1951, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Randolph, NE.
Growing up on a farm, Eileen helped the family with many chores and had fond memories of threshing wheat. Dubbed with the nickname “Fuzz” from a young age, Eileen enjoyed playing “house” with her sister and best friend Naoma (“Poots”), and always looked forward to making homemade ice cream and root beer on July 4th.
Eileen graduated from McLean High School in May 1955 as one of five girls in her entire class. She went on to attend Wayne State Teachers College, graduating in May 1957 with a Junior Elementary Education Degree. After college she taught at Randolph Public School, Hartington Public School, and West Park Elementary.
On February 4, 1963, Eileen met Dennis Kucera at King’s Ballroom in Shelby, NE. After two dances and regular dates every Sunday, they were soon engaged and got married on November 24, 1963, in Randolph. Together they started a family and built their life on a farm near Bellwood, where they raised their children with love and strong values.
Eileen later served as a Special Education Teacher Aide at Bellwood 3R School from 1986 to 1990. Committed to furthering her own education, she returned to college and graduated from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in December 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She went on to teach at Abie Public School and substituted for Butler and Colfax County schools. She later worked as a teacher’s aide at David City High School until her retirement.
Throughout her life, Eileen touched countless lives with her kindness, dedication, and love for children. She was a patient and devoted 4-H Leader for many years, teaching sewing and baking classes. Her legacy as a teacher, mentor, and mother will continue to live on in the many lives she influenced. She and Dennis enjoyed watching their grandchildren’s activities and attended as many as they could over the years. Eileen’s love of music was evident in many forms. She played the accordion and piano and was an avid fan of musicals. Her daughters enjoyed listening to her many record albums growing up. Eileen enjoyed listening to the local polka show on the radio every Sunday. Following their first dance at King’s Ballroom, Eileen and Dennis continued dancing together for over six decades and were regulars at polka dances and polka festivals.
Eileen is survived by her husband Dennis of Bellwood, children Dawn Klein of Fremont, Denise (Ray) Hebda of Silver Creek, and Doug Kucera of Dallas, TX; her grandchildren Seth McRobert, April Klein, Grant Hebda, Craig (Sarah) Hebda, Lana Hebda, Ross Hebda, and Kirk Hebda; and her great-grandchildren Evelyn Hebda, Oliver Hebda, Lillian McRobert (and Baby Hebda this November), as well as sister-in-law Deb Stueckrath and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Oscar and Lillie Stueckrath, in-laws Leo and Libbie Kucera, siblings Duane Stueckrath, Naoma Schulz, Marvin Stueckrath and Shirley Stueckrath, son Dan Kucera and infant daughter Deanna Kucera.
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