Ward Edward Schrack

Ward Schrack, 86 Kearney resident Ward Schrack, 86, of Kearney, died Friday, November 27, 2015 at CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital. A Celebration of Life will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Kearney First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Gary Main officiating. Family will receive friends during a time of gathering from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the Boy Scouts of America or the Kearney First United Methodist Church. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. He was born October 13 1929 in Kearney Nebraska to Ward Benny Schrack and Gladys Irene (Ennis) Schrack. Ward was a 1947 graduate of Kearney High School. He attended Kearney State College from 1947-1947. While there, Ward was the president of his Freshman Class and shot game film for coach Charlie Foster. He would later earn his Bachelor’s Degree from Denver University in 1952. He was married to Norma Jean (Moors) Schrack on December 17th 1950. He had four children Susan Ann (Schrack) Kincaid, Ward Brian Schrack, Stacy Ann (Schrack) Peterson, William Bradley Schrack. Ward was a longtime employee of Kearney State College. He served as Director of Student Activities from 1965-1971, and Executive Director of Central Nebraska Health Education Corp. from 1972-1981. Schrack was a lifelong civil servant devoting all of his career and retired lifestyle to occupations and organizations that served to better the lives of all that he was associated with. For over sixty years Schrack was dedicated to the betterment of several dozen organizations as a member and often in executive and management positions. He was particularly devoted to four organizations: The Boy Scouts of America, The United Methodist Church, Kiwanis International and the Big Bend Chapter of the National Audubon Society. Schrack was a registered member of The Boy Scouts of America for 74 years received the Eagle Scout Award, Vigil Honor of the Order of the Arrow, the Silver Beaver award, which is the highest and prestigious award given to volunteers for the Boy Scouts. He has served on the executive board of the Overland Trails Council since 1968. In August of 2015 Schrack was the first recipient of the distinguished award named on his behalf as the Ward Schrack Lifetime of Service to Scouting Award. He was the founder and charter member of the Golden K a chapter for retired age members Kiwanis Club in Kearney. He has been in Kiwanis International for over forty years and held leadership roles at local and regional levels. Ward served as a Past President of Noon Kiwanis, Past Lieutenant Governor of Kiwanis and was named Citizen of the Year by the Kiwanis Club. Ward would later serve as President of Golden K Kiwanis. He was instrumental in the formation of Kiwanis Key Club in both Kearney High School and Kearney Catholic High School. He also organized Kenwood Elementary “K Kids.” In 2003, Ward put up a sign at the entrance to Kearney with all the service club emblems.. As a member of the United Methodist Church of Kearney for 40 plus years he served on numerous committees and was instrumental in the development of the Friendship Sunday School Class for members of the church congregation. He was very active with the church and served in many different capacities in the church. In 1969, Ward and his family were honored as the Methodist Family of the Year. A lifelong affection for Audubon, Schrack was a charter member and past president of the Big Bend Chapter of the National Audubon society. He served on numerous focus groups in the development of the Rowe Sanctuary and was a frequent tour guide for groups visiting the sanctuary. He served as Santa's helper for over 30 years delivering Christmas joy to over 30 different families over that span of time. He and his wife Norma hosted a Bed and Breakfast for seven years at their country home at Fawn Woods Lake. Schrack was a devoted patron of the community of Kearney and was an unofficial proud ambassador of his hometown. Amongst many local recognition three highlights were the Kearney Hub Freedom Award in 1999, Kearney Chamber of Commerce Friend of Kearney in 2000 and in 2013 the Sertoma Club Service to Mankind Award. Schrack was an aspiring amateur poet, wrote two children's books and a commemorative book on the history of BSA Camp Augustine He is survived by his wife Norma, his two sons, daughter and families. Brian and Leslie Schrack and their son James. Brad and Deb Schrack their daughter and son in law Stephanie (Schrack) and Brian Potter, their son Phillip Schrack. Stacy (Schrack) and Tim Peterson their children Amy Lammers, Ryan Peterson, Kylie Peterson and Joel Peterson, son-in-law, Dick Kincaid and his daughters Megan Kincaid and husband Mike Kersten, Molly Kincaid, as well as, five great grandchildren. He is also survived by three nieces and a nephew, children of his sister Jean and her husband Chandler S. Lynch II. Nephew Chandler S Lynch III, nieces Lisa (Lynch) Anderson, Sally (Lynch) Hauff and Nancy (Lynch) Gullion. He is also survived by nephew Peter LaRose of Tampa Florida.

Ward Edward Schrack

October 13, 1929 - November 27, 2015