Mass of Christian Burial for Kevin Kreikemeier age 66 of West Point, NE will be held on Friday, May 29, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point, NE. Interment will be in the St. Michael’s Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at the GA Cafeteria. Visitation will be Thursday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., there will be a Vigil Service and Knights of Columbus Rosary at 7:00 p.m., and visitation will continue on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at the Minnick Funeral Home in West Point. Memorials may be directed to the family for the establishment of the Kevin Kriekemeier Scholarship at GACC.
Kevin Gerard Kreikemeier was the seventh of ten children born to John B and Virginia (Pieper) Kreikemeier on September 26, 1959 in West Point, NE. He attended school at St. Boniface in Monterey and West Point Public School. After graduating from West Point Public High School in 1977, Kevin started dating the girl that spent many years just a few lockers down from him in junior high and high school. After proposing on Valentine’s Day with a dozen of red roses, Kevin and Cherie (Lierman) were united in marriage on September 20th, 1980 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Monterey. Together they built a strong family foundation centered on faith, compassion, service, and unwavering support for one another.
He was a proud father to their three children, John, Jenna, and Mary, and an adorning grandfather to his thirteen grandchildren, each of whom brought immense joy and pride to his life. Kevin was often found organizing small gatherings to get his family together, making daily phone calls just to check in, or spoiling his grandchildren whenever possible. He was often found rocking a grandbaby in the recliner, chauffeuring the grandchildren around town, sitting on the porch and watching the grandkids play a pick-up basketball game in the front driveway, or surprising them with a sweet treat at Dairy Queen. Kevin loved attending sporting events with friends and family whether it was a Creighton Bluejay game, a Kansas City Royals game, or his ultimate favorite: one of the grandchildren’s activities!
Basketball and youth sports were other lifelong passions of his as he dedicated himself to the Bluejay coaching world shortly after John was born when Guardian Angels Central Catholic inaugurated the girls’ basketball program. Kevin, with Cherie by his side, coached the first junior high basketball team. Through his 40 years of coaching, Kevin helped organize youth camps and tournaments, and coached junior high volleyball, basketball, track, and was the assistant coach for the high school girls’ basketball team. Together they coached young athletes, not only teaching them basic fundamentals of the game, but particularly emphasizing encouragement, patience, and leadership both on and off the court.
Kevin enjoyed watching athletes improve in their skills and grow in their virtues. He also enjoyed sharing his words of wisdom to anyone who wanted to take the time and listen. As the young athletes would know, one of Kevin’s well-known phrases was “Thinkin’ Lincoln” because he knew striving for that goal every year correlated with camaraderie, hard work, teamwork, and success; all that he ever wanted for his athletes. However, “Thinkin’ Lincoln” wasn’t just about championships, but more about the journey to get there. Fittingly so, God was “Thinkin’ Lincoln” for Kevin, and Kevin ended his journey in Lincoln at Bryan Hospital, commemorating a life of faith, love, and hard work.
Throughout his life, he worked hard and faithfully at three different careers: IBP, Chef’s Corner, and PetroMart, always doing his work with a smile and giving people more than they expected. He believed deeply in letting God work through him, sharing Christ’s love through everyday interaction with customers, coworkers, friends, and strangers alike. His servant’s heart left a lasting impact on all who knew him.
A lifelong Catholic, Kevin was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Kevin’s faith guided every aspect of his life. He inherited his love of the rosary from his parents and religiously prayed for God’s will be done. He found great comfort and purpose in Scripture, reading the Bible in its entirety multiple times over the years.
Kevin will be remembered for his fun-loving spirit, strong values, sense of humor, generosity, and unwavering love for his family and community. His quiet devotion, wisdom, and steadfast belief were an inspiration to all who knew him.
Kevin left this Earth unexpectedly, at the young age of 66, on the evening of May 23, 2026. Although his family and friends will miss him, our Merciful Lord allowed him to receive the Apostolic Pardon on the morning of May 23, 2026.
Philippians 4:13
“May he rest in eternal peace.”
Matthew 25:23
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Survivors include-
Wife-Cherie Kreikemeier of West Point, NE
Son-John and Emily Kreikemeier of Wahoo, NE and children-Leo, Zac, Lexi, Anna, and Eli
Daughter-Jenna Vonnahme of West Point, NE and children-Luke, Grace, and Hope
Daughter-Mary and Matt Lueshen of Beemer, NE and children-Natalie, Elise, Avery, Owen, and Isaac
His siblings-
Carol and Rich McGill of Fremont, NE
John A. and Anita Kreikemeier of North Bend, NE
Joan and Leon Steffen of West Point, NE
Marcia and Carmen Klein of Bellevue, NE
Susan Kreikemeier of Bellevue, NE
Thomas and Kris Kreikemeier of West Point, NE
Brother-in-law-Larry Rihanek of Lincoln, NE
Sister-in-law-Mary and Dean Allen of Lee’s Summit, MO
Numerous nieces, nephews, and other family members also survive Kevin.
He was preceded in death by his parents-John B. and Virginia Kreikemeier, brothers-Patrick and Bernard Kreikemeier, sister-Mary Rihanek, son-in-law-John Vonnahme, and brother-in-law-Dan Slagle.