Kenneth Edgar Bantam

Funeral services for Kenneth E. Bantam will be held on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church in Orleans, Nebraska with Pastor Dave Irwin officiating.  Interment will be held in the Orleans Cemetery following the services.

Kenneth Edgar Bantam, 80 years of age, of Kearney, Nebraska, (formerly of Orleans) passed away on Friday, September 28, 2018 at the Country House in Kearney.  Kenneth was born on November 8, 1937 on the family farm, south of Orleans in Harlan County, Nebraska, the eldest of four children to Dale Edgar and Pauline Emma (Hunter) Bantam.

On December 27, 1960, Kenneth was united in marriage to Joyce Larene Christensen, and the couple were blessed with three daughters.  The family began their farming career south of Orleans until 1966, when they purchased a farm between Orleans and Stamford.  Kenneth and Larene continued engaging in farming and raised livestock west of Orleans until their retirement.  They celebrated their 57 ^th Wedding Anniversary this past December.

Kenneth attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and served in the Air Force National Guard.  He enjoyed Nebraska Cornhusker football and basketball, hunting, fishing, golfing and playing cards.  He was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Orleans, served on the Orleans School Board, the Harlan County Board of Supervisors, and was a 4-H Leader for many years.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents and several relatives and friends.

He leaves to celebrate his life; his wife, Larene Bantam of Kearney; three daughters: Angela Regenos and her husband, Marc of Riverdale, Nebraska; Pam Cooper and her husband, Dave of Salina, Kansas; and Julia Ulrich and her husband, Jim of Elkhorn, Nebraska; seven grandchildren:  McKenna Regenos; Natalie Regenos Spitzlberger and her husband, Jake Spitzlberger; Alex Regenos; Olivia and Benjamin Cooper; and Morgan and Taylor Ulrich; great-grandson, Jax Spitzlberger; two brothers:  Duane Bantam and his wife, Vicki of Alma; and John Bantam and his wife, Linda of Orleans; one sister, Joy Woodruff of Berthoud, Colorado; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church in Orleans.

A memorial has been established in Kenneth's honor, and kindly suggested to the Harlan County 4-H Extension Service or donor's choice.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com .