Ardy G. Kalkwarf, 80, of Crete, passed away April 25, 2026. He was born in Lincoln December 18, 1945, to Alvin and Helene Kalkwarf of Crete.

Ardy was a 1964 Crete graduate. He played football and basketball throughout his school years. When he wasn’t helping his dad on the farm he was fishing and hunting or playing basketball with friends.

After high school Ardy worked for 1 year before joining the Air Force as a supply specialist in the Vietnam war.

When Ardy’s military service was finished, he married Mary Safranek, having 2 sons. He spent 30 years working as a maintenance mechanic at Farmland/Smithfield and lived his entire life in Crete.

He enjoyed fishing and hunting with his sons well into his retirement years. Ardy enjoyed building fishing rods and making lures, this ingenuity was prevalent throughout his life, from finishing the basement to building a lily pond in the backyard. He was always up for a game of pitch or cribbage and always had a sweet treat in his shirt pocket for his five grandchildren.

Ardy was preceded in death by his parents; half siblings, Alvin Kalkwarf Jr., and Alvina Remmers; brother-in-law, Max Decker; nephew, Bob Decker; and niece, Michelle Brandt.

He is survived by his sons and their spouses, Michael and Deb Kalkwarf, and Adam and Becky Kalkwarf; sisters, Joni Decker, and Vicki and (Mike) Grimes; nieces and nephew, Laura Brandt, Brian Grimes, and Jaci Grimes; grandchildren, Ashley Kalkwarf, Aaron Kalkwarf, Jessica Kalkwarf, Tyler Kalkwarf, and Kaylee Kalkwarf; five great grandchildren.

Visitation will be Thursday from 5 - 7 PM at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete. Services will be held on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete. Interment: Lincoln Memorial Park at 2:30. Memorials to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in lieu of flowers.