Richard John Stec was born on March 14th, 1953 in Ainsworth, Nebraska to John and Helen (Vesper) Stec. He died unexpectedly from complications from pneumonia on December 25th, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island, Nebraska.

Richard grew up on the family's ranches in rural Brown and Rock Counties. He attended rural schools, Bassett Grade School, and graduated from Rock County High School in 1971. He was active in FFA and high school rodeo.

He was married in 1973, and to this union four children were born: Ryan, Chad, Wade, and Amanda.

Ranching and rodeo were the things Richard really loved. He worked as a rancher, and then at Sperry New Holland in Lexington. The family moved to Cozad, and Richard worked as a cowboy at Hi-Gain Feedlot where he worked his way to manager. Later, he became a cattle buyer and worked as cattle manager and oversaw the trucking for a second feedlot. He did over-the-road trucking and most recently was a dispatcher for Grand Island Express.

He is survived by his four children, Ryan, Kearney, NE; Chad, Ringold, NE; Wade, New York, NY; Amanda and one grandson, Cameron Stec, Lincoln, KS; his parents, John and Helen Stec, Bassett, NE; one sister, Jeanne Stec, Greensboro, NC; one brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Sheri Stec, Bassett, NE, three nephews, Scott and John Rieker, Lincoln, NE; Tanner Stec, Bassett, NE; one niece, Sadie Stec, Bassett, NE; and a host of relatives a friends.

A Funeral Mass was held on December 30, 2003 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, in Bassett, NE with Father Jim Hunt officiating. Music was provided by Scott Rieker and Evelyn Armstrong. Casket bearers were Lyle Barnes, Mark Buoy, Roger Buoy, Bill Herrington, Mark Hughes, Steve Larson, Mike Saar, and Darel Sewell. Interment was in the Grand View Cemetery at Long Pine, Nebraska. Memorials have been suggested to the family in Richard's name.

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