Ernest L. Sabatka

Ernest L. Sabatka, age 88, Seward, formerly of Brainard, passed away on January 11th. Ernie was born on October 14, 1930 on the family farm near Touhy, Nebraska to Thomas C. and Emma E. (Busek) Sabatka.

Ernie was educated through 8th grade in a rural country school, where he learned to speak English having Czech as his first language. He farmed with his father and brother. He worked as a cement finisher for Olson Construction. He retired after 25 years as a custodian of East Butler Schools in Brainard. Ernie also was a volunteer umpire, emergency medical technician, blood donor, Brainard city planning board member, news paper carrier, Brainard Holy Trinity Parish board member, church volunteer, member of the Knights of Columbus, and funeral assistant at Chermok Funeral Home. He also was a beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Through his love of Czech music and dancing, Ernie met Florence Sisel. They married on June 6, 1953 in Loma, Nebraska. For their first years of married life they lived near Touhy and later moved to a farm outside of Brainard. In 1967 they moved to acreage near Brainard. Ernie cared for Florence when she became ill with Alzheimer’s. Florence passed away in 2007. Ernie moved to Seward in 2016 where he lived until his death.

Surviving are his three children: Cynthia and husband Scott Spilinek of Weeping Water; Daniel and wife Lisa of Plattsmouth; and Anthony and wife Karen of Seward; his 13 grandchildren: Jeremy (Lisa) Spilinek, Megan (Ryan) Schmid, Chad (Darlene) Sabatka, Nicholas (Ashley) Sabatka, Melanie (Matt) Rauert, Corey (friend Kaitlyn) Sabatka, Jared (Allyson) Sabatka, McKenna (Patrick) Elsener, Caitlin (Steven) Falcone, Brea (Tristan) Sabatka, Travis, Noah and Chloe Sabatka; his 28 great grandchildren, Kaileigh, Nathan, Lucy, Trevor, Marylynn, Reese, Roland, Aubrielle, Magdalene, Lawrence, Cecily, Mila, Viggo, Benedict, Amelia, Augustin, Liliana, Adilyn, George, Peter, Virinia, Asher, Leo, Avalynn, Sutton, Dominic, Malachi and Felicity. Also surviving is his sister, Marianne (Henry) St. Pierre of Florida, many nieces and nephews, cousins and special friends.

Preceding him in death were his wife: Florence, his parents, sister: Marcella and brother: Thomas.