Clair "Bud" Kriz

Bud Kriz, 85, of Brainard passed away Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at South Haven in Wahoo. 

In lieu of flowers, plants, and statues, memorials may be directed to St. Luke's Catholic Shrine.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 12 at 10 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Brainard with Fr. Steven Snitily officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 5 until 7:00 at the Church, with a 7 p.m. Parish Rosary. Visitation will resume Friday at the Church from 9 until 10 a.m. Interment will be in St. Luke's Cemetery in Loma, with lunch following back at the Klein Center. Moravec Johnson Mortuary is handling arrangements for Bud's family. 

Bud was born February 3rd , 1939 on the family farm near Loma, the youngest child of Ernest and Rose (Benes) Kriz. Bud attended Oak Creek School through 8th grade and graduated from Brainard High School in 1957. At the age of 12, Bud took over the responsibilities of farming after the passing of his father. With help from others, Bud was able to care for his mother, while running the family farm. He farmed this ground and raised cattle and hogs for the next 71 years until moving to South Haven Living Center in Wahoo in 2021. 

Bud found pleasure in simple things: a poppyseed kolache, the new growth of spring, a loyal dog, a good polka, and his beloved family. Bud met the love of his life, Janice (Rediger) Beckman, at a polka dance at Play-mor Ballroom. The two wed on December 17, 1976 in Lincoln. Bud welcomed Jan’s three children Andrea, Craig, and Suzi and the couple was blessed with the birth of James. Family was important to Bud, he loved being an uncle and often reminisced about watching his nieces and nephews grow up. Bud and Jan spent many hours watching their grandchildren’s activities. Nothing made the couple happier than having a house full of family for each and every holiday on the farm.

Bud is survived by his wife Jan, step-children Andrea (Joe) Ekstein of Dwight, Craig Beckman of Lincoln, and Suzi Beckman-Pursley and life-partner Brian Morgan of Lincoln, and son James (Mollie) Kriz of Brainard. Also cherishing the memory of Bud are he and Jan’s grandchildren: Janae Newman of Littleton, CO, Ashley Ekstein of Lincoln and Andrew (Kelly) Ekstein of Dwight; Megan Beckman (Heather Honer) of Lincoln, and Alex Beckman of Brainard; Nate Luginbill (Pheobe Little) of New York and Taylor Pursley of Lincoln; Addison Kriz, Lillian Kriz and Kimberly Kriz all of Brainard; 3 great-grandchildren Gage and Chase Ekstein of Dwight and Kylee Newman of Scottsbluff; and Bud’s sister Alma (Arthur) Svoboda of Brainard.

Bud was proceeded in death by his parents, two siblings and their spouses, Ernest (Adeline d. and Deloris d.) Kriz and Irene (Richard) Masek and 1 grandchild, Jeremy Beckman. 

Bud’s quick wit, ornery streak, and loving heart are not lost with his passing, the family and friends who knew and loved Bud will always remember and cherish those beloved traits and hear and see the spirit of Bud in his family and friends.