Patrick R. Head

Patrick R. Head, age 83, of Kearney, passed away on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at his home. Memorial services will be on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to the family, to be designated later. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services of Kearney is in charge of arrangements. Pat was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania where he grew up under the watchful eyes of all his 9 older siblings. He was the favorite of them all and remained that way till the end. He and his parents along with the 2 siblings next in line, Martha, and Mick, moved to Stockton, California in 1955. Pat left school after the 10th grade and made his way to the Los Angeles area where he took a job as an apprentice Barber in his brother Jim’s barber shop. He also delivered mail for the United States Postal Service. After a couple of years, he met and married Evangeline Miller. He continued to work for the USPS while earning his degree at barber school. Pat and Vangie had their children Patrick in 1963, Timothy in 1965 and Deborah in 1967. They decided to follow Vangie’s family to Nebraska in 1970. Pat and Vangie first lived in Riverdale, Nebraska then later Pat built a home in Kearney. He started out in Nebraska working for a farmer as well as at Caldwell, and then onto Eaton’s where he retired at age of 55. Pat raised his family with wisdom, humor, and love making sure they had vacations back to California yearly so they could see the sights to the west and remain close to family. Pat continued to enjoy raising his cows, pigs and chickens as well as traveling and working with friends, hunting, fishing, and restoring his antique trucks. He enjoyed taking walks with his dog and cats as well as keeping a huge garden, giving the vegetables away to friends, and making sure his lawn was perfect. Spending time with his children and grandchildren was such a joy for him. In his last years when he was no longer able to get around by himself, he was surrounded by family, friends and caregivers, his cats and dog, and was able to stay in his home he loved. He is survived by his Ex-Wife and Friend Vangie Head of Kearney, His children, Patrick Head II from Kansas, Tim Head (Julienne) of Minden, and Deb Buchta (Michael) of Kearney. His 7 grandchildren Emma (Ben) Montag of Kansas, Erin (Dan) Walgren of Nevada, Maggie (Preston)Schmidt of Madison, Abby Radtke of Utah, Makenna Wilcox of Kearney, Mitchel Head of Thedford, Mason Head of Lincoln. 3 step-grandchildren Arron Buchta, Austyn (Derek) Persson, Alex Buchta all of Kearney, and 8 great grandchildren Agnes, Barrett, Penny, Thatcher, Kamryn, Gunner, Korbyn and Keisyn. His sisters Joanne Davis, Patsy Shackleford, Martha Quinones, brother James Head, and many nieces and nephews and friends. He will join in death his parents, George and Mary Head, and sisters Dorothy Lammerson, Marie Speigelhalter, Katherine Head, Sara “Teddy” Fry, and Brother George “Mick” Head. With great sorrow comes the knowledge that we have the capacity for great love. Dad was far more ready to go than we were to let him go.

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Patrick R. Head

March 17, 1940 - December 2, 2023