Robert J. Buettner

Robert J. Buettner, 92, of Kearney, passed away on Monday, July 13, 2026 at Mother Hull Home in Kearney. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, July 20, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Kearney. Concelebrants Father Lawrence Kawagga and Father Paul Colling will officiate followed by a graveside Rite of Committal at the Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, July 19, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. followed by a Vigil/Rosary at 5:00 p.m. at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider a donation to your favorite charity in Bob’s memory, or one of these charities he enjoyed supporting: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, St. Joseph’s Indian School, Mission Teaching Foundation and Boys Town. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements. Bob was born on October 10, 1933, to Henry Joseph and Alice Beryl (Wells) Buettner at the family farmhouse near Elm Creek, Nebraska. The family lived there until his senior year of high school, when they moved near Axtell, Nebraska, and he attended Axtell Community School. He graduated in 1951 and during his senior year played on Axtell’s State Championship football and basketball teams. He took great pride in that achievement and remained close friends with some of his teammates for the rest of his life. After high school, Bob farmed with his father until 1956-1958, when he served in the United States Army’s 55th Field Artillery Division. He was stationed in Germany during peace time between the Korean and Vietnam wars. Following his service, Bob rented land for corn and sugar beets, as well as cattle and swine production. In 1959, Bob was united in marriage to Shirley Magette and three children were born: Terry, Teresa and Cara. Shirley passed away in 2008. In 1962, Bob was honored as Outstanding Young Farmer-Rancher by the Holdrege Junior Chamber of Commerce/Jaycees. In 1970 the family moved to the corner of three connecting counties – Phelps, Kearney and Buffalo – just south of the Platte River. Bob farmed corn, alfalfa, soybeans, cattle and swine with his son, Terry, for 18 of his farming years. His work ethic was strong and is modeled by his children. Bob enjoyed sports and was on a Holdrege bowling team for over 35 years. He also learned to water ski with family friends at Johnson Lake. He acquired Husker football tickets when Memorial Stadium’s north end zone was built and went to the home games until a few years ago. Bob watched Husker football and volleyball games on TV in recent years, but before that he enjoyed attending UNK and Kearney Catholic High School volleyball and basketball games. His Catholic faith was important to Bob and he served as an altar boy at Immaculate Conception Church in Elm Creek. He loved everything about Mass except for the use of incense, which he said “made him retch out the back door of the church.” In 2017, Bob established a tuition assistance scholarship endowment fund with Kearney Catholic High School Foundation. He enjoyed reading the personal thank you notes from the scholarship recipients. Bob was a communion wine server in his 80s and until a year ago sat in prayerful adoration at Prince of Peace Catholic Church for one hour a week. He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus and Elks Club. Bob married Peggy Carlson in 2009, who has been a blessing to the family in many ways. Together they enjoyed dancing, traveling, owning and showing classic cars, and collecting Terry Redlin art. He was preceded in death by his parents, his older sister Mildred (Shineflew) and younger sister, Linda Sue. Bob is survived by his wife, Peggy; his three children, Terry (Jacki) Buettner of Kearney, Teresa (Todd) Ingram of Lincoln, and Cara Buettner of Lincoln; four grandchildren: Drew (Emily) Buettner of Grand Island, Lauren (Adam) Quinn of Kearney, Jake (Jakie) Babcock of Dry Ridge, Kentucky, and Paige Babcock of Hillsboro, Oregon; and three great-grandchildren: Cruz, Cason and Hillie Buettner. Additional survivors include Peggy’s children: Ralph Franzen, Lisa (Tagg) Mann, Crystal (Kent) Peterson, and Janine (Chad) Franzen; cousins in the Buettner and Wells extended family; and a niece, nephew and nieces-in-law in the Shineflew family. The joy of his life the past nine years was his “sweetheart” Goldendoodle, Maggie. The family thanks the Mother Hull Home staff for their compassionate care as well as the AseraCare hospice team and the VA Home Based Primary Care Team who managed Bob’s health care for several years.

Tributes

Robert J. Buettner

October 10, 1933 - July 13, 2026