Larry A. Kovar Obituary (1940 - 2014)

Laurence "Larry" A. Kovar, 73 years of age, of Beatrice passed away at Wednesday night at his home after exceeding all expectations in battling against terminal illnesses. He was born on May 26, 1940 near Garland, NE to Cyrill and Bessie (Hromas) Kovar. He graduated from Garland High School, and received his Bachelors and Masters Degree in Education from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. Larry and Judy Leazenby were married on June 4, 1966 at Bee, NE. He lived in Plymouth, NE and was a teacher, coach, and educator at Tri County School near DeWitt from 1982 until retiring in 2002. They moved into Beatrice in 2002. He was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Beatrice. Larry was a Para Educator at Cedar Elementary School in Beatrice and enjoyed keeping the score clock at Southeast Community College, Beatrice sporting events. He also enjoyed attending any type of ball games, watching sports on TV, and collected sports memorabilia (especially bobble head figurines and batting helmets). Larry was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, and really enjoyed attending his granddaughter's activities. Larry was inspired by the saying "Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all". His favorite thing to say to his players while coaching was to go and "Run It Off!" Larry's family wants everyone to know that Larry "Ran it Off" as long as he possibly could. Survivors include his wife Judy; children Scott Kovar of Lincoln, Niki Henkel of Beatrice, and Greg Kovar and wife Sonia of Lincoln; granddaughter Jordan Henkel of Lincoln; brothers and sisters Victor Kovar and wife Annabelle of Lincoln, Cyrill Kovar and special friend Ramona Svoboda of Crete, Gary Kovar and wife Vi of Garland, Gladys Roebke of Garland, Betsy Fletcher and husband Charles of Lincoln, Dan Kovar and wife Delta of Seward, Ernie Kovar and special friend Jeanne Frentz of Wichita, and David Kovar and wife Jean of Lincoln; sisters in law Susan Kovar of Topeka, and Nancy Lines of Raymond, NE. He was preceded in death by his parents Cyrill and Bessie ((Hromas) Kovar; son in law Gary Henkel; brothers in law Lloyd Roebke and Donald Lines; and sister in law Eunice Kovar. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, February 8, 2014 (Casual Dress Recommended) at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Beatrice with Father Robert Barnhill officiating. Interment will be in the Evergreen Home Cemetery, Beatrice. The body will lie in state Friday from 10-9:00 at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice and not at the church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the family's choice with the funeral home in charge. A scriptural prayer service will be held at 7:00 PM Friday at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice. Sign Larry's online guest book at www.ghchapel.com. These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.