Obituaries, Spring 2022
Jason Heller
NNLA member, Jason Heller died on January 3, 2022. Jason worked at Mulhall’s and later owned his own business, Neptune’s Water Gardens in the Omaha/Gretna area. Jason was a current NCNLP, becoming certified in the early 2000’s.
Jason Lee Heller
December 10, 1978 - January 3, 2022
Jason is survived by his children, Will and Anabelle; their mother Jessica; parents, Gary and Deb; brother, Steve (Angi and Cooper); grandfathers, Rich Heller and Ralph Scott; many aunts, uncles, cousins. He was preceded in death by grandmothers, Barbara Heller and Carol Scott; and uncle, Kevin Scott.
Duane Novotny
Duane L. Novotny July 21, 1941 ~ April 12, 2022
Duane was born on July 21, 1941. He was the eldest child of Lumir and Eleanor Novotny. He began his education at Clarkson Elementary school and at the age of 10, was stricken with polio. He spent the next 19 months at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. When he was well, he returned to Clarkson and finished his education graduating from High School in 1959
After high school, Duane joined the National Guard and served for 6 years. In 1962 he also began his working career at Moore’s Grocery Store in Clarkson as their head meat cutter. Duane married Brenda Nelson on October 7, 1967, at Ss. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Clarkson. He continued to work at Moore’s until 1976 when he decided to do a career change. He helped start and manage the Garden Center and Landscaping Division of the Bluebird Nursery in Clarkson. Harlan Hamernik, owner of Bluebird Nursery, was instrumental in guiding Duane toward the career he accomplished as a horticulturist.
While residing in Clarkson, Duane was very active in many organizations. He served on the local school board for 16 years, he served on the state school board for two years and he was a member of the Clarkson Volunteer Fire and Rescue squad for 25 years. He was also a member of the Clarkson Commercial Club, the Lyons Club, and co-chaired the Czech Festival numerous times. He created the “Cesky Butcha” sandwich which is enjoyed still today at Czech Days in Clarkson.
In 1996 Duane moved his family to Lincoln, Nebraska to accept a position with Campbell Nursery. He remained an employee/manager of Campbell Nursery until his passing. Duane shared his love and talents of horticulture with many others. He was a certified Nurseryman and received the Nebraska Nurseryman of the Year Award in 2006.
In his younger years, Duane played Fast Pitch Softball as a catcher. He caught for Darrell Dubsky, who is in the Nebraska Softball Hall of Fame. In later years, he went from playing to umpiring both Fast Pitch and Slow Pitch softball. But over the years, his true enjoyment came from watching his own children and grandchildren play volleyball, football, basketball, baseball, track, and compete in rodeo events.
Duane is survived by his wife of 54 years, Brenda; daughter Angel Arkfeld; grandchildren, Sydney, Jaden and Ava; son Brent and daughter-in-law Kelly Novotny; grandsons Gavin and Garrett; brothers, Garry (Janet) Novotny, Ron (Shirley) Novotny, Dean (Jackie) Novotny; sisters, Janice (Fred) Prewitt, Diane Novotny, Cheryl Most; sister-in-law’s, Janice (Roger) Kucera and Cindy (Frank) Pekny; and many nieces and nephews and cousins.
Duane was preceded in Death by his parents, Lumir and Eleanor Novotny, in-laws Delbert and Virginia Nelson and brother-in-law Jerome Most.