Delbert D. Kotas

1933 - 2024

Delbert D. Kotas

Delbert D. Kotas, 90 of Kearney passed away Saturday, July 6, 2024 at the Central Nebraska Veterans Home in Kearney. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 12, 2024 at O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney. Interment will follow at Kearney Cemetery with Military Honors Provided by the Nebraska National Guard Funeral Honors Team. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to Central Nebraska Veterans Home. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services.

Delbert was born December 27, 1933 in Davenport, Nebraska to Fred and Hazel (Runge) Kotas. He received his education from Davenport High School, graduating with the class of 1952. Delbert attended Fairbury College on a football scholarship. He was later drafted into the U.S. Army on January 26, 1954, and proudly served until his honorable discharge on January 25, 1956. On December 26, 1953, he was united in marriage to Marian Miller at the Christ Lutheran Church in Davenport, NE. To this union two sons were blessed. The couple farmed until 1967 when they moved to Kearney where they bought the Western Inn. They later built the Lodge Restaurant and the Western Inn South. Delbert and Marian also owned motels in Granby, CO and Casper, WY. In his later years, Delbert started the Farm and Ranch Network and K & W Enterprises.

Delbert had many hobbies, including hunting, playing tennis, racquet ball and golfing. He was a longtime member of the Kearney Country Club and the Cotillion Dance Club. Delbert was also a longtime member of First Lutheran Church and Family of Christ Lutheran Church. Over the years, he was also active in Kearney Chamber as a Colonel and with the Kearney Goodfellows.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 70 years, Marian Kotas of Kearney; sons, Darren Kotas of Kearney and Carter Kotas of Aurora, NE; grandchildren, Nichole, Shane, Brittany, Taylor, Serenity, Skya, Jaxson and Derek; 9 great grandchildren; brother, Robert "Bob" Kotas of Fairbury, NE; sister, Lila Carter of Plattsmouth, NE; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Delbert was preceded in death by his parents.