Delaine "Del" Kugel

Delaine E. "Del" Kugel was born in Hebron, Nebraska on March 7, 1953 to Wayne and Norma (Zlab) Kugel. He was baptized at the Faith Lutheran Church in Hebron. Del grew up on the family farm and helped his parents work in the fields, milk cows, and assisted with all the other aspects of farm life. Following his graduation from Hebron High School in 1971, Del lived briefly in Fairbury and Lincoln before settling in Wahoo in 1973. Ten years later, on February 11, 1983, he married Sharon Tighe in Lincoln. Del had a zeal for tinkering with car engines, and used the knowledge he gained from working on a Ford assembly line and at CM Auto in Wahoo to restore old cars and tractors to pristine condition. He was passionate about competing in demolition derbies and truck and tractor pulls and, for many years, was virtually unbeatable in the Demolition Derby at the Saunders County Fair. Del was proud to have won a championship trophy in the Demolition Derby at the Nebraska State Fair. Delaine regularly attended swap meets where he bought and sold a variety of automotive parts and accessories, as well as other interesting, miscellaneous items. He was a generous, hardworking and considerate man who always sought to help others and, when someone needed a part for a project they were working on, or just needed a helping hand, Del was always there to meet their need. Del was a longtime employee of Wahoo Concrete where he was the Operations Manager. He is survived by his wife Sharon Kugel of Wahoo; children Alethea Kugel of Florida, Cohen (Nichola) Kugel of Wahoo, Jehremy (Annette) Gies, Sean (Jennifer) Gies, all of Missouri; sisters Jeanette (Dale) Fangmeyer of Lincoln, Sharon (Marvin) Baden of Deshler, Laura Biehl of Lincoln; sister-in-law Sharon Kugel of Hebron; 15 grandchildren. Del was preceded in death by his parents Wayne and Norma Kugel; step-father Orville Stone; brother Dennis Kugel; brother-in-law Dale Biehl; and nephew Charles Baden. Memorials may be given to Del's family for a later designation. Casket Bearers will be Ron Sladek, Darrell Bordovsky, Kevin Bordovsky, Rusty Houfek, Dennis Stuchlik and Randy Paseka. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Jim Fangmeyer, Ron Hauschild, Wayne Kugel, and Doug Hass. Officiating at the service will be the Rev. Dennis Wheeler.