Francis Larry Grayek

Francis Larry Grayek, 76 of Lexington, passed away Tuesday, August 28, 2018 at the Cozad Care And Rehabilitation Center. He was born May 4, 1942 in Kearney, Nebraska. He lived on a farm by Oconto, Nebraska until the age of eight when his family moved to Lexington. He would often describe his youth in the 50’s as idyllic. He graduated from Lexington High School in 1960 then enlisted in the Army on July 12, 1960 and was honorably discharged on April 15, 1963. On his return home he met and married Nancy Flint on September 26, 1964 and settled down in Lexington were they raised three children. He worked for a few years at Harris Laboratories and then around 1971 became a mail carrier working at the Post Office for 28 years until around 1999. One of his greatest joys was music and playing guitar. Larry was self-taught on guitar and played in several local bands including the Furys, the Underground Railway, the Backwoodsmen, Sidestreet and Special Edition. He loved to play for his children and grandchildren and became known as Papa Guitar to them. In 1999 he retired from the post office. Then he and Nancy owned and operated Nancy Lee’s Flowers for five years. There he showcased another talent in woodworking and making shabby-chic furniture. Larry loved to collect stamps and coins and enjoyed metal detecting as a hobby and a business. He also enjoyed a good evening of bowling in the Lexington men’s bowling league for many years and pitched in slow pitch softball. He loved gardening, fishing and loved to cook, often serving up fish fry’s for family and friends. After he fully retired he spent much of his time selling antiques and collectibles on Ebay and spending time with family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Gertrude (Kalinowski) Grayek, his sister, Irene Knudson, and his wife, Nancy (Flint) Grayek. Larry leaves behind three children, Monte Grayek of Lexington, Nebraska, Michelle (Brad) Brandenberg of Lexington, Nebraska and Danielle (Sterling) Huff of Gering, Nebraska; his much loved grandchildren, Heidi Walker of Brownsville, California, Craig Grayek of Lexington, Nebraska and Teyla and Bristol Huff of Gering, Nebraska; two great-grandchildren, Elias and Lucia of Brownsville, California; they and a host of family and friends will celebrate their life shared with Larry on Saturday, September 1, 2018. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, September 1, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Lexington with Father Matt Koperski, officiating. Interment with military honors will be in the Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington. Visitation will be held Friday, August 31, 2018 from 5-7 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington with a wake service to follow at 7:00 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com