Paul F. Kjar

Paul F. Kjar, age 94 of Cozad, formerly of Lexington, passed away Sunday, September 30, 2012 at Meadowlark Pointe in Cozad. Paul was born November 17, 1917 at Lexington, Nebraska to Carl and Clara (Duryee) Kjar. He graduated from Lexington High School in 1935. Following high school, Paul enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served for 4 years. His time in the Navy allowed him to travel the world, visiting ports in a host of different countries. Upon his discharge, Paul and a friend started a logging business in Washington State. He would eventually join the U.S. Army in 1942, and ended up in Raeford, North Carolina. Just a few years later, Paul married Odessa Kloepping on February 4, 1944. The two had been neighbors in high school before Paul joined the Navy, and after keeping in touch for years, Odessa rode the train from Lexington to North Carolina so that they could wed. Paul was part of the 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion, which suffered tremendous losses and adversities throughout WWII. Much of the Battalion was absorbed by other units during the war effort, leaving their story and sacrifices untold for years until an eventual Presidential Unit Citation was awarded nearly half a century later. Following his discharge in 1945, the couple made their home in Lexington, where they lived the majority of their married lives. Paul and Odessa owned a service station in Lexington, and later, a coffee shop downtown. Paul eventually came to work at the mill and elevator at Lexington, before going to work at Monroe""s in Cozad. He retired after 16 years at Monroe""s, and subsequently took up maintenance for the Dawson County Fair Grounds. Most recently Paul and Odessa made their home at Meadowlark Pointe in Cozad, where they made many friends. Paul was a member of the Lions Club. He enjoyed gardening and spending time woodworking. He was a tremendous storyteller, and loved sharing them with family and friends alike. He was an avid Nebraska football fan, and took pride in having taken his grandkids to their first games. As a person, Paul was honest and true. He had a tremendous work ethic and took pride in doing the right thing. Paul possessed many of the powerful qualities that earned his generation the moniker""greatest"". A memorial has been established in his memory. Condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. Paul was preceded in death by his daughter, Denise Kjar in March of 2012; 2 brothers, Carl and Bob; 2 sisters, Rosalie and Margaret. Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Odessa Kjar of Cozad; son, Thomas (Peg) Kjar of Cozad; 5 grandchildren, Audra (Chris) Dishman of Malcom, Tony (Crystal) Kjar of Lincoln, Abbey Jones of Kearney, Andrew (Maira) Sherman of Lincoln, Jeremy Sherman of Lincoln; 7 great grandchildren; a brother, Gene Kjar of CA; sister, Patricia Wieczorklowski of AZ; sister-in-law, Lea Kjar of Lexington; and many other relatives and friends. Services will be held on Thursday, October 4, 2012 at 10 a.m. at the Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad with Father Don O""Brien officiating. Burial with military honors will be in the Cozad Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad. Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad is in charge of arrangements.