Edmund Francis Kohlbek

What we leave behind is what we did. And who was Edmund Francis Kohlbek, Sr.? He was born at the end of the Great Depression in Omaha, Nebraska. He was a dad, friend, uncle, cousin, husband, father-in-law, grandfather, great grandfather, and a brother, to name a few titles. But also, he was a Civil Servant, Teamster, and United States Marine. In his last days, if you listened to his stories, he continually talked about being a Teamster during the Jimmy Hoffa era, working at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska football, being United States Marine during the Korean War, his brother Jim and his wife, Donna, and his grandmother. And always about being a United States Marine with the most decorated Marine Unit in history: Fox Company, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines during the Korean War. At the end of the Great Depression, on December 30, 1934, Edmund (Ed) Francis Kohlbek was born to Catherine Faye Janasik and Martin Kohlbek, Jr. in Omaha, Nebraska. He was the oldest of their eight children. While spending time in Bear Creek, Montana, he spoke Polish at home with his Grandparents, English as his first language, and even learned Latin in school. Later Ed would return to Omaha, Nebraska, where he attended St. Bridget's, Creighton Prep, and eventually South High School. Then to help support the family, Ed took a job with Safeway Food Stores as a checker and joined the Teamsters Union. A few years later, he entered the United States Marine Corps. Ed served in the Marine Corps as an 0311 Infantryman, and at one point, he was ordered to Korea to serve with the most decorated Marine Unit in history. Fox Company, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines (F/2/5) during the Korean War. Ed would have endless stories about serving during the time of the legendary Marine General Lewis "Chesty" Puller. After several years of service, he was honorably discharged from the Marines and returned to Omaha. While in Omaha, he met his future wife, Madeline Carol Wilson. On August 1, 1959, Ed and Madeline were married in Omaha, Nebraska. They worked together to operate the Flamingo Hotel in South Omaha while Ed continued to work at Safeway Food Stores. Their first son, Edmund Kohlbek, Jr., was born on July 25, 1960, at Doctors Hospital. He was quickly introduced to the daily operations of running a hotel and his father's love of cars. Later, Ed and Madeline decided to purchase their first home in the new Sun Valley housing development off 50th and Harrison. While growing up, Scott Nielsen, Edmund Jr.'s best friend, remembers Edmund Kohlbek, Sr., as someone who kept his cars immaculate and made him feel welcome during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Then Ed Sr. and Madeline had two additional children, Robert Francis, and Daniel Francis. Unfortunately, after working at Safeway Food Stores and being a member of the Teamster Union for over thirty years, the company decided to abandon operations in Omaha, Nebraska. So, Ed again considered a new career option: Civil Servant. He worked at the supply unit at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska, until his retirement in 1997. He traveled with his wife Madeline after his retirement, and they took care of his wife's aging mother and his aunt. His retirement stories about being a Teamster during the Jimmy Hoffa era were incredible. Then the stories of serving during the Korean War with Fox Company were something you only read about in history books. And he loved being a grandfather. Ed died at age 87 on April 11, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Martin, Ronald, and Francis; sister Mary, who died in early childhood while he was serving in the Korean War; and son Edmund Junior, who died in 2008. Ed is survived by his loving wife, Madeline; sons, Robert and Daniel I; grandson, Daniel II; granddaughters Marcella Ann Kohlbek, Sarah (Arrick) Jazynka, Jennifer (Nick) Gonzales; daughter-in-law Pam Sloger; brother James (Donna) Kohlbek; and brothers Jerome and Thomas Kusek. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Project NAGA, Inc., a 501c3 Non-Profit dedicated to addressing the issues of veterans that die alone and his or her remains go unclaimed. If you would like to contribute to this worthy cause, please visit https://projectnaga.org