Verlane L. "Barney" Kuchta

Verlane Leon "Barney" Kuchta age 70 of Concord, Nebraska died at his residence on Friday, August 16, 2024 under Hospice care surrounded by family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Dixon, Nebraska with the Rev. Jerry Connealy officiating. Burial will be at St. Anne’s Cemetery in Dixon, NE. Visitation will be on Friday, at the church in Dixon, from 5-7:00 p.m. with a Vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Saturday one hour prior to services. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Laurel.

Pallbearers will be Caleb Handke, Evan Kuchta, Robert Tanderup, Joshua Dzingle, Phil Rohan, and Jim McCluskey. 

 Honorary pallbearers will be  Abi Walker, Sierra Handke, Kaitlin Walker, Chris McCluskey, and Brook McCluskey. 

 Barney was born March 2, 1954 in Menominee, NE to Louis and Criscentia (Vornhagen) Kuchta. He was the youngest of 7 children. Faith was important to him and he was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church. Barney went to school in Wynot, NE. On June 5th, 1976 he was united in marriage to Mary Olander at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Newcastle, NE. To this Union, they had 3 children, Chad, Jennifer and Jodi. Barney worked at IBP for a few years, worked as a farmhand for over 10 years then worked for Dixon County as part of the Bridge Crew and Maintainer Operator for nearly 30 years. 

 Barney loved spending time with family. He loved hunting, fishing, playing horseshoes, checkers (which not many could beat him), and cards. His favorite card games included euchre, pitch, canasta and scat (which he taught his grandkids to play).

 He is survived by his wife, Mary, of 48 years; Children: Chad (Jennifer) Kuchta of Blair, NE, Jennifer (Bob) Walker of Sioux City, IA, Jodi (Matt) Handke of Lawton, IA; 5 grandchildren: Caleb & Sierra Handke, Evan Kuchta, and Abigail & Kaitlin Walker; siblings: Marvin (Pat) Kuchta of St. Paul, NE, Dianne (Tom) McCluskey of Newcastle and Ardyth (Tim) Rohan of Newcastle; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and In-laws (also known as Outlaws).

 Preceded in death by his Parents; his Sisters Esther Schwartz and Ellamae Dimmitt; Brother Richard Kuchta; Parents in law Lloyd & Darline Olander; Brother in law Fuzz Tanderup; Sisters in law Carol Olander and Therese Olander.