Leonard Charles Krcmarik, Jr.

It is with great sorrow and a profound sense of loss that we announce the passing of a beloved husband, and a genuine soul, Leonard Charles Krcmarik, known as Len, Lenny, or, affectionately by his family, Junior. He departed this life on September 8, 2023.

Born on May 4, 1949, in Lincoln, NE, Len was infinitely generous and always ready to lend a helping hand or compassionate ear. He lived a full, vibrant life, characterized by laughter and spending time with the people he enjoyed.
Len was the only son of Marie and Leonard Krcmarik. He was fiercely protected and cared for by his older sisters. Raised on 332 N 23rd Street, he attended Elliott Elementary and Whittier Jr. High School. As a young boy, his family traveled yearly to California to spend time with aunts, uncles, and cousins he was close to. He had a neighborhood paper route, and enjoyed sports, sci-fi movies, playing on his police youth football team with neighborhood boys, and tinkering in his Dad’s well-equipped garage on go-carts and motorcycles.

In his high school years, he was well-known as a standout Lincoln High football player who helped carry the team to many victories. An accomplished athlete, he was awarded three full-ride scholarships to play college football. At 16 he began dating his lifelong love, Colleen. In 1967 he was the first in his family to graduate.
After high school, he briefly attended UNL as a Wildlife Conservation major, changing career directions when he felt an obligation to serve his country during the Vietnam conflict. As an Air National Reserve Guardsman, he was a marksman Expert thus earning a Small Arms Marksmanship ribbon. He married Colleen on September 26, 1968, then settled down to pursue his livelihood with Burlington Northern.

A lifelong machinist by trade, Len spent his career at BNSF. He was a dedicated 40-year member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union serving on the board as an officer for several years advocating for the rights and well-being of his fellow workers. Len always rooted for the underdog and was a herald for the everyday tradesman.

He loved rural life and the small-town lifestyle. Inspired to move to Malcolm in 1974 he served for decades as a volunteer fireman for the Malcolm community and frequently participated in community events. He was supportive of his children’s activities, often lending a helping hand when the need arose. He especially enjoyed attending his son’s football games with Malcolm friends.
He had a love for wildlife and being outdoors, spending much of his spare time hunting, fishing, trap shooting, boating, camping, playing horseshoes, following NASCAR, ice boating, ice fishing, stargazing, weather spotting and tending to his acreage. His passion and zeal for wild bohemian adventures led his family and friends on many memorable and eyebrow-raising journeys. He traveled frequently and broadly with people he loved, enjoying a variety of sportsmanship trips. Many of his hobbies and interests he passed on to his children, grandchildren, and nephews.

Late in his retirement, he often could be found socializing and encouraging friends, playing keno, and spending afternoons playing cards or dice with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved surprising his family with silly presents and the simple freedom of taking his truck for a drive, often attending events with a cooler of beer and plenty of laughter. Len had his own greatest treasures in life that he valued intensely; family, friends, and fun. Anyone who knew him understood he lived honestly by his own values, which he fully pursued.

The fire department Len had dedicatedly served, was called to offer their service to him. The last of his family, he was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard Sr., and Marie (Nightengale) Krcmarik; and sisters, Carolyn Marie (Krcmarik) Barton, Betty Jean Krcmarik, and grandson, Bryan Leonard Hinrichs.

Len is survived by his loving wife of almost 55 years Colleen Krcmarik; children, Angela (Luther) Hinrichs, Marshall (Nicole) Krcmarik; grandchildren, Victoria, Miles, and Allison Hinrichs, Cole and Trever Krcmarik; great-grandson, Ryan Krcmarik.

In honor of Len, the family requests casual attire.