Daniel Lee Havelka

Daniel Lee Havelka was born on February 8, 1948 and passed away, surrounded by family on October 17, 2026 following an almost 3 year battle with cancer.

Dan was born in Wahoo Nebraska to Emil Havelka Jr and Clara (Ruzicka) Havelka in Wahoo Nebraska. He joined his big sister Pauline, and later joined by his brothers Lyle and Adrian, living in the Weston area. He attended elementary and part of high school in Valparaiso. He moved with his family in the farming communities of Wahoo, Weston and Valparaiso. He was confirmed in faith at the Czech Presbyterian Church in rural Weston. Dan graduated from Millard High School in 1966.

Dan married Roberta Hartgrave on December 5, 1981 in Mead Nebraska. To this union he brought his daughter Shannon and his son Dale. Roberta brought her sons Bill and Allen. Together they added Shawn and Lyle.

Dan was a jack of all trades and working with his hands was what he did best. He was a gifted wood craftsman; making his daughter Shannon a beautiful cradle when he learned she was expecting her first child. He crafted a Santa, sleigh and reindeer display for his yard and had it up for many years along with many other outdoor decorations. He constructed a doggy alleyway for Lyle and loved spending time fishing at Shawn and Pennys cabin. His children knew if there was any project they needed, he would be there to build it or to guide them as they built it.

He worked for Hoppe Paint, Hill Start Welding, Virgil Implement, Bernie Ecklund farms. He started working for Millard Public Schools in 1974, retiring after 30 years. Following his retirement, he found he could not just relax so he started working as the groundskeeper for Saunders County Fairgrounds, Region V bus driver and had a mowing service. In addition to his jobs he volunteered for the Mead Fire Department, was a member of the Wahoo Saddle Club and Saunders County Museum.

Through it all his guiding force was Roberta. They would have been married 45 years this December and together there wasn’t anything they couldn’t accomplish. What he didn’t think of, she did and he was always there making her vision come to life. Together they attended baseball, football, volleyball and dance recitals of the kids and grandkids. When it became harder to attend in person he made sure he could watch events on TV at home.

Dan gave his grandchildren a love for fishing and fixing. He had them getting their hands dirty fixing mowers and baiting hooks and his eyes would light up when they showed him the results of their efforts.

Dan is survived by his wife Roberta, children Bill (Charity) Flagle, Allen Flagle, Shannon (Dwyne) Novotny, Dale (Jayme) Havelka, Shawn (Penny) Havelka, Lyle(Keshia) Havelka. Grandchildren Jasmine (Luke) Sweet, Brandyn (Cheynne) Flagle, Ross (Melissa) Novotny, Corden (Terin) Novotny, Caitlin (Jacob) Gall, Tyson (Kirsten) Nelson, Corbin Carlson, Rhett and Cruz Havelka, Hadley, Brooklyn and Brody Havelka. He has 9 great grandchildren with 3 more on the way.

Dan is survived by his sister Pauline Deakins and brother Adrian Havelka, Sister-in-laws Debie Mumm, Linda (Ed) Cordell, Teresa (Randy Frauss. Brothers in law Robert Hartgrave, Jack (Crystal) Hartgrave. Along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by parents Emil and Clara, and little brother Lyle.

Visitation will be 5-7:30 on Thursday, October 22, 2026 at Alma Lutheran Church in Mead. Funeral Service will be 11 am Friday at the church with interment at Alma Lutheran Cemetery. Lunch will follow at the Mead Fire Hall.