Jolene “Joey” Kay (Patak) Fikar, age 72, of Crete entered her eternal home on August 8, 2026 in Lincoln.

Born on January 17, 1954, in Crete, Joey was the baby of four children born to Joseph and Erma (Aksamit) Patak. Joey was raised on a farm south of Crete, where she gained firsthand experience in rural living. She attended Country School and graduated from Crete High School, where she then went onto fulfilling the role of devoted wife and loving mother.

Joey met the love of her life at age 17, when she was walking back to school after lunch, and Gary drove up alongside her in his “hot” buttercup yellow Z28 ‘69 Camaro, and asked her if she wanted a ride. She remembered him as that cute guy that worked at Safeway. She couldn’t resist and said “sure”. Before long, Gary asked her for a date, to which she said yes not thinking he would show up. Not only did he show up half an hour late, but he had a police car following him into her driveway with the lights flashing (she thought, “Won’t Mom and Dad be impressed?!”). Little did she know then that the policeman knew Gary, and knew that he was on a first date, so he purposely did that for a joke. After the first date, Joey and Gary both felt they had met the one they wanted to grow old with - they were married three months later on April 3, 1971. This marriage brought two beautiful children - Jeffrey Clinton and Dawn Michelle.

Before committing to 31 years at Doane College, Joey babysat seven kids and also substituted for teachers’ aides in the Crete Elementary School. When Gary was in the National Guard (on weekend duty and at summer camp), Joey found her love of sewing with her sister, Gloria, and enjoyed activities out on the farm with her sister, Rita. One of her and Gary’s favorite pastimes, which was later bestowed to their children, was spending time out at the cabin with her parents, brother and sisters, and their families.

Joey and Gary took many vacations with their parents, siblings, and children. Many memories were created, cherished, and are often reminisced still to this day. Joey enjoyed traveling - she often traveled with her sister, Gloria, and most recently her niece Krista and Krista’s husband Paul joined them. Before her Maine excursion with Gloria to visit Gloria’s kids and grandkids, a two-week bus trip to the New England (13) states was her favorite vacation. Joey had many hobbies in addition to traveling, which included sewing, quilting, gardening, reading, bird watching, cooking, country music, and being Gary’s loudest and proudest cheerleader for his bowling teams. She recently picked up a love for the television show, Heartland, which should be no surprise as she loves horses and rural life.

What brought Joey the most pride and joy were her grandkids. She (and Gary) made it a priority to be actively involved in their lives from the very beginning. They attended family sporting events, school programs and recitals, and birthday celebrations brought Joey immense joy and filled her heart with an abundance of happiness. When her mom, Erma, passed away, she felt it was her duty to fulfill her mom’s shoes of recognizing family birthdays and anniversaries by sending homemade cards, to which Joey dutifully accomplished. Joey’s family often requested her jello cake and/or peach pie at family gatherings, which will be continued by the family with the guidance of her plethora of recipes.

Joey is survived by her loving husband and best friend of 55 years, Gary Fikar; their children, Jeffrey (Lynette) Fikar of Keller, TX and Dawn (Bruce) Zoubek of Dorchester, NE; 5 grandchildren, Shelby, Garrett, and Chase Tachovsky of Dorchester, NE and Abbi and Evan Fikar of Keller, TX; 3 step-grandchildren & families, Brandon Zoubek of Wilber, NE, Kacey (Brendan) Hahn of DeWitt, NE, and Abigail Zoubek of Dorchester, NE; her sisters, Gloria (John) Bernadt of Hebron, NE, Rita (John) Brummett of Dorchester, NE, sister-in-law Jackie Witzel of Crete, NE, and brother-in-law Larry Fikar of Crete, NE; many nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother (Roger Patak), and in-laws (Lawrence and Velma Fikar).

Above all, Joey will be missed tremendously. She truly was the epitome of what motherhood was all about. Her smile, kindness, humor, orneriness, wittiness, wisdom, and selflessness will unwaveringly be remembered most as she forever lives in our hearts and minds as well as our daily activities and conversations. With this obituary, we offer our heartfelt thoughts, prayers, and cherished memories of a life beautifully shared with Joey. 

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, August 14, 2026, at 10:30 AM at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete with Pastor Lila Bottolfsen officiating. Interment will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Crete. Visitation will be Thursday from 5 - 7 PM at the funeral home. Arrangements entrusted to Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete.