Stephen L. Sack

Stephen L. Sack, 72, of Central City, Nebraska died Monday, September 10, 2018 at VA Nebraska-Iowa Healthcare Systems in Omaha. Celebration of Life services will be Monday, September 17, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at Solt-Wagner Funeral Home in Central City. Memorials are suggested to the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral.com. Stephen L. Sack, was born on March 5, 1946 to Lloyd and Marian (Hohbein) Sack in Beatrice, Nebraska. Steve grew up in the Aurora area, and graduated from Aurora High School in 1964. Following his graduation from High School, Steve briefly attended Omaha University for one semester, and decided he was wasting his time and his dad’s money, so he then began working laying brick. He said during that time he almost starved to death, because he was the poorest he ever was during his lifetime. He then began working for Missouri Valley Construction on the hot mix crew in Northwestern Nebraska. He said he made good money while working there, but all he did was work, and drink beer. Keith Penner and Steve then decided to go on a vacation in early winter to California, Mexico, and Texas. When they returned home, they immediately enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1965. Steve served his country during the Vietnam War, and when he returned from his first tour, he was ranked as a Corporal. While serving, he was a member of the 2nd Batallion 4th Marine Division “The Magnificent Bastards”. He always said it was the best decision he ever made in his life. The Marine Corps helped him grow up. After his honorable discharge in 1968, he attended college in Waco, Texas. While attending school in Texas, he was on the dean’s list. He learned how to maintain grades, even after going out drinking and chasing women all night. He then moved back to Aurora and began working for the family business, Sack Lumber. Steve remained in Aurora, until 1973, when he moved to Central City to take over Sack Lumber. On April 1, 1998, Steve was given a second chance at life when he received a kidney transplant from his former Sergeant, Sgt. Steven Krauss. He then remained at Sack Lumber until his retirement in 2001. Steve was a member of the American Legion Post #6, a lifetime member of the VFW in Aurora, and was a member of the exclusive China Post. He was one of the 12 original members of the River Rats Association, which has now grown to over 800 members. Steve enjoyed parachuting; especially getting to jump in foreign countries, such as; Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Thailand, East Germany, Hungary, Poland (Russian), China, North Vietnam, El Salvador, Honduras, and Cuba. He also enjoyed restoring hot rods, air boating, welding, laying brick, and building jeeps and airboats. He caught thousands of catfish, airboated thousands of miles, and drank thousands of gallons of beer throughout his life. After his retirement, Steve enjoyed hosting class reunions and get togethers with his former Marine Corps Vietnam Unit Comrades. He also enjoyed gardening, antiquing, and getting kicked off of Facebook. Those left to cherish his memory are his “Main Squeeze” Linda Sawyers of Central City and her children’s families, all of Central City; Tom Sawyers, Angie (Bill) Grimes, Kim Makowski and her daughter; Steve’s “Pretty Girl” McKenzie Makowski, and Mandie (Craig) Blodgett, his nieces and their families; Gina (Scott) Fehringer of Genoa, Angie Sack, and Nikki “Bert” (Eric) Collazo, both of Marquette, his step-sisters; Kathy Pollard of Aurora, Debe (Mike) Merrick of Aurora, and Patty (Mike) Newman of Marquette and his lifelong best friend; Keith Penner of Aurora. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother and sister-in-law; Bill “GAPS” and Irene Sack, his aunt; Doris Landstrom and step brother-in-law; Jim Pollard.

Stephen L. Sack

March 5, 1946 - September 10, 2018