Leslie "Bud" A. Hickenbottom

      Leslie A. “Bud” Hickenbottom, Jr. was born July 10, 1928, in rural Callaway, Nebraska, to Leslie Sr. and Anna (Lewis) Hickenbottom, the fifth of nine children.  He passed from this life on Sunday, December 24, 2017, at the Callaway Good Life Center.   Bud lived his entire life in Callaway, Nebraska, except for his time in the United States Air Force from March 9, 1951, until his honorable discharge on February 7, 1959, where he was a staff sergeant, serving in Japan, Colorado and California, during the Korean War.   While serving in Colorado, he met and married the love of his life, Luella (Marie) Cadwallader.  Following the military years, Bud and Marie moved their growing family back to Callaway, where they raised their five children.  Bud farmed for most of his life, and after the children were raised, he and Marie began a new business venture, Bud and Marie’s Steakhouse, from which they both eventually retired.   Bud, always being a farmer, took over gardening after his wife of 44 years passed away on August 13, 2000.  He enjoyed gardening, and had a sense of pride, when others asked him for advice.  Bud was very proud of the years he served his country, and also of his son, Dean, and grandsons, David and Christian’s service in the Army.  He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, as well as playing pool, cards and dominoes.   Bud never knew a stranger.  He had an amazing outlook on life and was known for his great sense of humor and turning frowns upside down.  He will be remembered as one of Callaway’s “characters,” known and loved by Callaway residents of all ages and walks of life, as well as those from the neighboring towns.   Bud was preceded in death by his wife; four brothers, Donald, Alvin, Roger and James; three sisters, Dorothy (Lloyd) Edwards, Mildred Hickenbottom, and Laura (Palmer) Bybee; son-in-law, Rene Twohig; and a stillborn grandchild.   He is survived by his sons, Dean and Karen (Crow) of Spokane, Washington, and Mike and Stacy (Reier) of Cozad, Nebraska; daughters, Micki Twohig of Curtis, Nebraska, Terri and Joe Schierbeek of Rockvale, Colorado, and Cheryl and Lee Nielsen of Wood River, Nebraska; sister, Lois Franzen of Grand Island, Nebraska; 15 grandchildren, Lane Hickenbottom, Ryan Gibson, Monaca Brown, Shane Miller, Cody Milller, Chris Twohig, Jessica Crowder, Kayla Schierbeek, Kaleb Hickenbottom, Mallory Gibreal, Jordan Hickenbottom, Jennifer Raburn, David Nielsen, April Martin and Christian Nielsen; 22 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.   It was Bud’s wishes his body be cremated. The family has honored those wishes. There will be no visitation.   A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held Friday, January 5, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at Callaway Community Center with Fred Werkmeister, PMA officiating.   Inurnment with Military Honors will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Callaway.   Memorials, in lieu of flowers please, are suggested to the Callaway Good Life Center.   Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home of Callaway is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.