David Paul Sterkel, 65

Edgar, NE resident David Sterkel, 65, passed away Monday, April 27, 2026, at his home near Edgar, NE. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, April 30, 2026, at the United Church of Christ in Clay Center, NE, with Father Mike McDonald officiating. Interment will follow at the Sutton Cemetery in Sutton, NE. Visitation will be Wednesday, from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., with the family present from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., at Sutton Memorial Chapel in Sutton, NE. Services will be live-streamed through the Sutton Memorial Chapel YouTube page. https://youtube.com/@suttonmemorial?si=aa6_sWONItqtgK57. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Sutton FFA Alumni or the Sutton High School Trap Team. David was born on August 27, 1960, to Robert Henry and Lucyle Christine (Scheidemann) Sterkel. He attended first grade at Lakeside School, a one-room country schoolhouse a mile from his home in rural Clay County, before continuing his education at Sutton Public Schools, where he graduated in 1979. On March 28, 1981, David married the love of his life, Lynn Stark. Together, they built a life centered around family and raised two children, Katie and Evan. David dedicated much of his career to hard work and leadership. He managed a hog confinement operation for Darv Ochsner before becoming plant manager at Central Nebraska Wood Preservers, where he worked until his retirement in early 2020. Even in retirement, he stayed busy, helping local farmers seasonally and taking every opportunity he could to get behind the wheel of a semi or tractor. David had a fun, lighthearted personality that made him easy to love and impossible to forget. He found joy in fishing, woodworking, and starting projects—whether they were finished or not. He coached trapshooting and rarely missed a chance to attend his grandchildren’s activities. He especially loved “carpet farming” with his grandsons and never turned down an opportunity to join in the fun. He was known for always having peanut butter M&Ms stashed in at least three different places and buying Baker’s milk chocolate in five-pound bags—making sure every one of his favorite kids had a piece before he left. For nearly 29 years, David fought harder than most could imagine, never losing his sense of humor along the way. If you knew him, you knew he loved making people laugh, pulling little tricks, and keeping everyone on their toes. He was a teacher in the best sense—not in a classroom, but through life. He taught his children how to weld, run power tools, hang and mud drywall, and enjoy the outdoors through fishing, hunting, and trapshooting. He also passed down his unique wisdom, including sayings like “there is no such thing as a gun or power tool you don’t need,” the importance of a good “pre-bed nap,” and the belief that you’re never too old to act a little younger—especially when playing with kids or running the grain cart for the next generation. David is survived by his wife, Lynn Sterkel of Edgar, NE; his daughter, Katie and her husband, Ryan Griess, and their children, Kinsley and Knox of Sutton, NE; his son, Evan and his wife, Kellie, and their children, Addialynn, Brileigh, Cadeson, and Deakin of Sutton, NE; his brothers, Mark and Glen (Marci) Sterkel; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Lucyle Sterkel. David will be remembered for his strength, his humor, and the deep love he had for his family. His legacy lives on in the laughter he shared, the lessons he taught, and the many lives he touched.

Tributes

David Paul Sterkel, 65

August 27, 1960 - April 27, 2026