Nickolas Blankenbaker Obituary (2026)

Nickolas Edward Blankenbaker was born in Red Cloud, Nebraska on May 8, 1944 and passed away September 15, 2026 at Mary Lanning Hospital in Hastings, Nebraska. Nick grew up on the family farm southwest of Inavale, graduating from Red Cloud High School where he was on the football and track teams and was an active member of FFA. He began dating Patricia (Patti) Miksch during these years and they married in 1964. Nick served in the U. S. Army from 1966 to 1972 with the 87th Construction Battalion as Army Specialist-Mason in Vietnam where he helped build hospital wards, storage facilities, and worked with the army vehicle fleet. Following his military service, Nick worked at a meat packing plant in Hastings until he and Patti moved to make their home in Red Cloud where he went to work for Garnett Phifer’s livestock operation, a job he held for many years. He later helped his father run the family farm and then with other local farming operations. In 1991 he took a job as power plant operator for the City of Red Cloud, a job he held until retiring in 2012. In mid-2020, he suffered a medical emergency which required him to move to assisted living. Much to his (and everyone’s) surprise, he came to enjoy his time and to treasure friends and the staff at The Kensington. Nick has often been described as “a man of few words” but had a few close friends with whom he shared many good times. He enjoyed being outdoors, hunting, reading, working word puzzles, and, in later years, dominoes and bingo. He is survived by Patti, his wife of nearly 62 years; his son, Scott (Scott Stroud) of Charles City, IA; Michelle Lewis of Hastings; grandson Collin Lewis and granddaughter Cayte Lewis, both of Hastings; sister Karen Wolf of Audubon, IA; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Preceding him in death are his parents Neal Blankenbaker and Ruth (Jeffers) Dorough, brother Stanley Blankenbaker, and sister Sherita Thomas. Private Family Services have been chosen. The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life at Juan’s Bar and Grill on Friday, September 18, 2026 at 2PM in Red Cloud. Memorials may be made to The Kensington of Hastings or to the Walnut Creek Cemetery Association and may be sent in care of Williams & Kuehn Funeral Home, 241 West 4th Ave., Red Cloud, Nebraska, 68970.