Daniel Sasek passed away on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Community Memorial Health Center in Burwell, Nebraska with his family by his side.
Services will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 10:00 AM at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Sargent, Nebraska with Father Jim Hunt as the celebrant. Burial will be in the Ord Catholic Cemetery with Military Honors. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 13th from 5:00 to7:00 pm, and Rosary at 7:00 pm at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Sargent. Govier Brothers Mortuary are in charge of arrangements. Words of condolence may be left at govierbrothers.com
Daniel Otto Sasek was born on March 16, 1946, in Omaha to Otto and Irene (Benben) Sasek.
A year later he moved with his parents to the family farm northeast of Sargent, which was homesteaded by his great-grandparents. He grew up there along with his four younger brothers, attending Mt. Pleasant Country School and graduating from Sargent High School in 1964.
He attended Kearney State College for three years, then was drafted into the US Army in December 1967 during the Vietnam conflict. Following his basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington, he served with the 438th Army Band at Fort Lewis and then with the First Air Cavalry in Vietnam. He was discharged in September 1969.
Following his service for his country Dan returned to Kearney State College, where he graduated in May 1972 with a degree in music education. On May 20, 1972, he married Marlene Malicky in Burwell. He taught music at Burwell Jr-Sr High School for two years then joined his father in the family farm and ranch operation. He was the fourth generation of his family to reside and farm on the family’s original homestead. He and Marlene were blessed with the birth of their sons Matthew born in 1975 and Timothy in 1978. In 1986 he and his family moved to a farm east of Sargent.
Daniel was a lifelong and faithful member of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Sargent where he served as the pianist for 44 years and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He also served his community as a member of the Sargent school board for 20 years, and as the commander of the Sargent American Legion Post for 17 years. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars organizations.
Music was always a very important part of his life, he had perfect pitch and was proficient in playing the piano, trombone, and piano accordion. He provided music for countless weddings and funerals over the years as well as entertainment for many other events.
Daniel was a hard-working, humble person who was always willing to help others. He loved the farming and ranching life and enjoyed music and playing cards with his friends. He was so proud of his sons and never missed any of their sporting events, school activities, or accompanying them on the piano for their instrumental solos.
After suffering heart failure for many years Dan was blessed to receive a heart transplant in 2015. For this he and his family were forever grateful to his donor’s family and would like to encourage others to become organ donors.
Daniel is survived by Marlene, his wife of more than 51 years, son Matt (Landi) Sasek of Ankeny, Iowa, and his children Thomas and Madison, and son Tim (Mary) Sasek and their children Jillian and Andrew of Bellevue, Nebraska. Also, his four brothers: Dennis (Judy), and Larry (Kaye) of Lincoln, Gerald (Laura) and Alan (Lisa) of North Port, Florida, his brother and sister-in-law Larry and Barbara Malicky of Georgetown, Texas, and his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents and his mother and father-in-law.
