Michael A. Buchta

Michael A. Buchta, the man, the myth, the legend, joined the party with the big man upstairs on Friday, March 7, 2025. Memorial Mass will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 20, 2025, at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Kearney with Father Paul Colling as Celebrant. A “Cheers to Mike” will be held for him at Platte Valley Taphouse in Kearney following the lunch at the church. Visitation will be 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral Home with a Vigil Service following at 6:00 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride and Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services charge of the arrangements. Mike was born on December 26, 1959, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Raymond and Agnes Buchta. Mike would be their final contribution of children into the world, completing “The Big Ten”. He attended school at Holy Name School, graduating in 1978. Growing up and being the baby of the family, he followed in his brothers’ footsteps working at Delight Wholesale Company as a freezer boy, then for a bit at the Coca-Cola plant until he graduated. After graduating high school, his venture brought him to Kearney where he attended Kearney State College where he graduated with a Major in Criminal Justice and a Minor in Corrections. While in college, he met Kathy Johnson. They later married and during their 22 years together they had three children - Arron, Austyn, and Alex. Through the years, their lives took different paths, during which they separated. This stud wasn’t on the market long though, he ran into Deb while checking out at Boogaarts (local grocery store), who he’d already known from his daughter Arron and Deb’s oldest daughter Emma being friends. She called him Kevin, and they’ve been together ever since, marrying in 2009 and forming their very own Brady Bunch. Mike loved his stepdaughters Emma, Erin, and Abby and was overjoyed to love and spoil his five grandkids- Agnes, Thatcher, Barrett, Gunner, and Penny. After graduating college, he started his career at YDC (Youth Development Center), now known as YRTC (Youth Rehabilitation Treatment Center). He took great pride in helping reshape and mold “the states finest” or “little shits” if you caught him on one of his very few bad days. He loved his job so much that he dedicated 41 years to it, finally retiring in 2024 and receiving a great honor and major award - Admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska! When Mike wasn’t working, you’d catch him outside grilling (though he’d gladly pass the responsibility off to the first volunteer), mowing his lawn, despite his hobby of keeping his shoes white and in pristine condition, which coincidentally, was the first thing he would notice about you, and enjoying a nice cold one while soaking up some rays. He’d always make sure to get all his errands done by 4:00, so he was home to watch Jeopardy. He always impressed people with expansive knowledge of classic rock. Playing ‘who sings it’ with his kids and son-in-law Derek was one of his favorite things and always the cause of a late-nighter. As much as I wish I could stop here, I wouldn’t be writing this if he hadn’t faced any struggles. In 2015, Mike was told those dreaded words “You have prostate cancer”. He fought hard, went through chemo, evicted his prostate, and did radiation all while continuing to go to work (what a badass). In 2017, he was declared cancer free! Unfortunately, a few years later, after numerous hospitals stays, chamber dives, and sleepless nights, he was forced to trade out his bladder for a stoma bag, which he hated but hey, “at least it could hold a 6 pack”. These, along with several other things, eventually became too much for him. Raised Catholic, Mike’s faith meant a lot to him. He always put his life in God’s hands. On March 7, God came for him, not wanting him to suffer anymore. He passed peacefully while he was sleeping. Let’s not end on such a sad note though, because Mike wouldn’t want that. So, when you can’t recall who sings that song stuck in your head, it’s Mike’s whisper that makes the name come rushing back. Remember to say “Cheese” for every picture, always “Be Nice”, and there’s always time for just “one more”. A hero to many, a friend to all. We love and miss you more than words can express, Dad; save a spot at the Skip-Bo table for us for when we see you again. Cheers! Here to cherish him and the memories and continue to brag about how much of a badass he was are his wife, Deb Buchta, his ex-wife, Kathy Johnson, and his kids (and their other halves/ husbands): Arron Buchta (Logan Policky), Austyn (Derek) Persson, and Alex Buchta, stepdaughters (and their husbands) Emma (Ben) and their children Agnes and Thatcher Montag; Erin (Dan) and their children Barrett and Gunner Walgren; Abby Radtke and her daughter, Penny Svoboda. Remembered and loved by his siblings Marie Bray, Sr. Margaret Buchta, Bob Buchta, Ray Buchta, Richard (Jackie) Buchta, Bill (Nancy) Buchta; sisters-in-law Laura and Joan Buchta. Also left to mourn his loss are many other in-laws, nieces, nephews, family, friends and coworkers - too numerous to list but not forgotten. He is reunited with his parents Raymond & Agnes Buchta, his sister Marianne Jedlecki, his brothers Bernie and Ron Buchta, his brother-in-law Ed Bray, and sisters-in-law Kathy, Shirley, and Denise Buchta.

Tributes

Michael A. Buchta

December 26, 1959 - March 7, 2025