Kay C. Schwedhelm

Kay C. Schwedhelm, 92, of Bancroft, NE, passed away on Friday, March 14, 2025, at Highmore Health in Highmore, SD. The visitation will be held on Sunday, March 23, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Bancroft, NE. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 24, 2025, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bancroft. Burial with Military Honors will be in the Bancroft Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Bancroft.

Kay was born on August 20, 1932, in West Point, NE, the only son of Albert Lauren and LaVerne M L (Radler) Schwedhelm. He attended Bancroft Public School, graduating in 1950. He participated in everything he could and especially enjoyed being in the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Walther League plays. He attended the University of Nebraska for two years. At the University, Kay was a member of the rodeo team. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1953 and spent his 21st birthday riding the bus to Camp Chaffee, AK for basic training. During his service, he was stationed in Germany and toured the neighboring countries of England, Italy, Switzerland, and Holland.

After returning to Bancroft, he farmed and raised Shorthorn cattle, Landrace hogs, and quarter horses using a 1949 Cockshutt tractor. He was a good showman, and incredibly proud to have the Champion Brahma Steer at the 1958 Houston Stock Show.

Kay rented a farm from Earl Schwedhelm, located south of Bancroft, NE. Hearing about an eligible neighbor girl, he decided to take a chance and called Loretta Gatrost, even though they hadn’t been introduced. Loretta initially turned him down but Kay persisted, and she eventually agreed to go to a movie with him. On their second date, he took her to Sioux City to see Johnny Cash and the rest is history.

On June 2, 1957, Kay married the love of his life, Loretta Irene Gatrost. Three children were born into this union: Cindy, Kevin, and Alan. After seven years of farming, Kay decided that he wanted to drive trucks – so he purchased Feller Freight, purchased trucks and permits, and on June 1, 1963, he and Loretta started Schwedhelm Freight Line. They also purchased Brant Transit permits and trucks in 1965. Kay’s dad, Lauren, joined him in the business until he passed in 1966. They then moved to Pender, NE in 1969, where Kay and Loretta operated the business together until 1989.

After “retiring,” Kay continued to drive a school bus in Pender from 1990 to 1994 and in Lyons from 1994 until 1997. Kay and Loretta shared many retirement adventures. They were trained to manage Motel 6 in Manhattan, Kansas, and then served as relief managers for Motel 6 in Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Missouri, and North Dakota. They served as campground hosts at French Creek Campground at Custer State Park for five seasons, where Kay participated in the buffalo roundup for five years. Three generations participated in the roundup on Kay’s 70th birthday. Kay and Loretta then worked as courtesy drivers for Woodhouse Auto Family in 32 states for over 12 years.

Kay's life was filled with countless adventures, but his greatest joys came from being a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He particularly enjoyed hunting and fishing trips with his sons, Kevin and Alan. An avid sports fan, he was also a fisherman, hunter, Boy Scout leader, bareback rider, bull rider, bullfighter, and rodeo clown. He had a special affection for his horse, Black Magic. Kay was a water skier, snowmobile rider, snow skier, ice and roller skater, ballroom dancer, and square dancer. He had a talent for showcasing cattle, hogs, and horses. He loved playing cards, making jokes, and sharing laughs with his friends, especially the Rednecks, whenever he had the chance. Kay created a lifetime of memories at the family cabin in Minnesota. He never met a stranger and was always willing to try new things.

Kay was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bancroft where he served as an elder, an original member of Pender, NE American Legion Post #55 Color Guard, a member of the Cuming County Fair Board, an original member of the Bancroft Saddle Club, a member of Bancroft and Pender Fire Departments, and President of the Bancroft Alumni Association. He helped start the first Bancroft Rescue Squad and was the last living member of the Open Road Boys Club.

Kay is survived by his wife, Loretta; children, Cindy Sparks, Kevin (Shelly) Schwedhelm, and Alan (Shari) Schwedhelm; grandchildren, Angie Whitley, Robert Sparks, Amanda (Michael) Taylor, Lindsey (Mike) Munson, Kiley Hump, Nicholas (Mikayla) Schwedhelm, Nicole (David Anderson) Schwedhelm, Stephanie (Jim Koch) Schwedhelm, Lauren Schwedhelm, Alaina Schwedhelm, Kayla (Jacob Meehan) Schwedhelm, Beth (Cole) Palmer, Andrew (Allie) Milan, and Kathryn (Tony) Andersen; 20 great-grandchildren; and many cousins, neighbors, and friends.

Kay is preceded in death by his parents, Albert Lauren and LaVerne M L (Radler) Schwedhelm, parents-in-law, Richard and Geraldine Hazel (Beckner) Gatrost, daughter-in-law, Pam Schwedhelm, son-in-law Robert Sparks, brother-in-law Robert Kai, and grandson Cody Sparks.