Roy Henry Zautke

NORFOLK—Funeral services for Roy H. Zautke, 94, of Norfolk will be held at 10:30AM on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Stonacek Funeral Chapel in Norfolk. Pastor Lee Weander will be officiating the service. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Norfolk. Visitation will be held from 4-7PM on Friday, March 7, 2025 at Stonacek Funeral Chapel in Norfolk. Roy passed away on Monday, February 24, 2025 at the Stanton Health Center in Stanton. Stonacek Funeral Chapel of Norfolk is in charge of the arrangements. Roy Zautke was born December 14, 1930 at his grandparent’s farm in rural Pierce, NE to Erdman and Leona (Miller) Zautke. He is the oldest of three boys. Roy (94), Vernon (92) of Plainview, and Marlin (86) of Pierce. Roy spent his childhood years on a farm north of Pierce, and attended District 18 school through the 8th grade. At the age of 13 years, he developed rheumatic fever which set him back one year in school. He attended Pierce High School and graduated in 1950. In June of 1950 he was united in marriage with his high school sweetheart DeEtta (Pochop) Zautke at St. John’s Lutheran parsonage in Pierce. They then moved to Norfolk. From this union Roy and DeEtta were blessed with four wonderful children; Natala Zautke Wegner, Dwight (Kristine) Zautke, Richard (Paulynn) Zautke, Nadine (Richard) Samsel, 5 grandchildren; Andre Wegner, Corey Zautke, Amy Zautke, Brock Zautke, and Tanner Morgan, and 8 great grandchildren. Roy worked several years in his own floor covering business and then later as a successful insurance agent. On October 24, 1974 he married Darlene Barrett of Norfolk and was united with her 6 children. After marriage he continued to pursue his insurance career and moved to South Sioux City in 1976, then to Kearney in 1979. After retiring from his career in insurance he relocated to Gilbert, AZ in 1986 to start up his second career where he became involved in the swimming pool business. Then in 1998 he retired and he and Darlene moved back to Norfolk to build their retirement home where he resided until coming to Stanton Health Center on September 23, 2024. His wife Darlene passed away on July 1, 2017. He always took pride in the vehicles he owned, and especially enjoyed his yardwork, loved to dance, and listen to polka music, play cards, and gather with friends for conversation and coffee. He even refurbished a Red McCormick Farmall Tractor a few years back. For the past 20 years he always repaired the shopping carts at Hy-Vee West, always giving him a little “something to do.” Roy loved visiting with friends and neighbors, and sharing life stories with each other. He especially loved teasing the little neighbor kids (calling them monkeys), and sharing his candy bucket of goodies each time they paid a visit. One of his favorite humored quirks that he always had to share with any adult he met was to tell them that the secret for living a long life was to drink a thimble full of “Old Crow” each day. Even though he never practiced what he preached, he is now the age of 94! On December 14, 2024 we celebrated his memorable 94th birthday at Stanton Health Center along with 50 of his family, friends, and neighbors. What a joyous occasion! Plus, we all toasted to his life of longevity with a thimble full of “Old Crow”. Roy is a celebrated Christian and a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Norfolk. Roy is survived by his children, daughter Natala Wegner of Norfolk, son Dwight (Kristine) Zautke of Sioux City, IA son Richard (Paulynn) Zautke of Norfolk, daughter Nadine (Dick) Samsel of Spring Grove, IL, stepdaughter Kathy Nevjahr of Mesa, AZ, stepdaughter Rose Ann Anderson of Arizona, stepson Richard (Johnene) Barrett of Mesa, AZ, stepdaughter Nancy Barrett of Arizona, stepdaughter Ellen Schmer of Lincoln, stepdaughter Lorrie of Las Vegas, NV, 19 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and brothers Vernon Zautke of Plainview, & Marlin (Jean) Zautke of Pierce. He is preceded in death by his parents Erdman and Leona, wife Darlene Zautke, daughter-in-law Jeanie Zautke, son-in-law Milo Wegner, and sister-in-law Irene Zautke. Condolences may be expressed to the family on-line at www.stonacekfuneralchapel.com.

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Roy Henry Zautke

December 14, 1930 - February 24, 2025