Roger L. Patak, age 78, of Crete, passed away peacefully on May 19, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on April 18, 1947, in Lincoln, Nebraska, Roger was the second oldest of four-children born to Joseph and Erma (Aksamit) Patak. Roger was raised on a family farm south of Crete, where he gained firsthand experience in agriculture and rural living.  Roger spent his days helping raise crops, wrangle livestock, and chase chickens—all between casting a line in the river and attempting (with questionable success) to teach the farm cats a few new tricks.  He graduated from Wilber High School in 1965 and went on to Omaha trade school to become a transmission mechanic, where he developed lifelong friendships with others who shared his passion for the trade.   Roger found fulfillment in nurturing the land as he carried on the family farming tradition, all while building a legacy of his own as the proud owner of Patak Transmissions.

Roger's first marriage resulted in the birth of his two children Laurie and Danny, of whom he was a proud and devoted father.  Later in life, Roger met his lifelong partner, Jackie Witzel, who became his beloved wife on December 12, 2012. With open arms, he welcomed Jackie and her children—Jerrod, Jill, and Cayce—into his life, heart and home.  Roger's children and grandchildren grew up witnessing the value he placed on both hard work and enjoying life to the fullest. His life was a quiet example of down-to-earth simplicity and a can-do spirit, giving the impression that there wasn't much he couldn't fix with his own two hands.  Family and friends knew Roger as a lovable mix of stubborn and stern, with a dash of feisty and a firm grip on his wallet.  He was a person of few words, but when he spoke, his strong opinions left no doubt where he stood.  He had a deep love for nature, finding joy in bird watching, admiring the trees, and making friends with somewhat unpopular creatures such as wasps and snakes.  He appreciated the simple beauty in God's creation—the majesty of the mountains, the vastness of the oceans, and the peaceful rhythm of the rolling countryside.  Roger was a teacher in his own right.  He believed strongly in the importance of math and problem-solving and wanted to pass those skills on early.  He took great pride in making sure his grandkids knew the answer to 12x12 before they could even tie their shoes.

Roger was a passionate sports enthusiast and competitor.  Early in life he had a special love for playing softball, which he enjoyed for many years.  Later in life it was dancing, and never turning down a chance to polka, especially during Czech Days.  He watched most any sporting event while keeping close tabs on scores and rankings, and eagerly challenged others in a game of billiards, cards or trivia.

As he settled into retirement, Roger continued to enjoy many of the things he loved but found himself more drawn to the peace of the outdoors. He took pride in watching his son and family carry on the responsibilities of the farm, found joy in the simple quiet moments—sitting on the deck or porch, watching the birds, admiring his well-kept yard, and visiting with friends and neighbors who stopped by.   Catching up with old friends—especially around the holidays—became one of his favorite traditions, right up there with checking the rain gauge.  A weather enthusiast, Roger was meticulous in storm tracking and monitoring rainfall amounts.  He routinely called family and friends to compare totals, and in true Roger fashion, he couldn't help but feel cheated if someone else got more rain than he did. Roger and Jackie loved taking long road trips off the beaten path, exploring every one of the fifty states. They also enjoyed jet-setting abroad, collecting passport stamps through their many international adventures.  Attending family sporting events, school programs, and birthday celebrations brought Roger immense joy and filled his heart with happiness.  Above all, Roger was a devoted family man and friend who cherished the moments spent with loved ones.

Roger is survived by his beloved wife and companion of 40 years, Jacquelyn (Jackie) Witzel; his children, Laurie Sykes (Jim) of Sioux City, IA and Danny Patak (Kim) of Crete, NE, his step-children, Jerrod Witzel (Heather) of Farley, IA and Jill Hewett of Springfield, NE; 11 grandchildren, Devin Patak (Sara), Torie Godfrey (Ross), Emily Cox (Daniel), Kirstin Sykes (Garrett), Nathan Patak (Rumer), Taylor, Tinley, and Tanner Witzel, Grayson, Brody, and Emery Hewett; 3 great-grandchildren, Judd and Dunes Cox, and Harper Patak; His sisters, Gloria Bernadt (John), Rita Brummett (John), and Joey Fikar (Gary); And Jackie's 6 siblings and their families.  He was preceded in death by his stepdaughter, Cayce Witzel and his parents.

Roger will be profoundly missed and lovingly remembered for his sharp wit, boundless kindness, enduring wisdom, and unwavering devotion to his family. With this obituary, we offer our heartfelt thoughts, prayers, and cherished memories of a life beautifully shared with Roger.

Visitation with the family will be held on Sunday, May 25, 2025, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Kuncl Funeral Home, 131 West 12th Street, Crete, NE. A memorial service will take place on Monday, May 26, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the same location, followed by food and fellowship at 1206 Main Street, Crete.  In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial donations to be used at their discretion to celebrate and remember Roger.

Arrangements entrusted to Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete.