Patricia E. Studnicka

A funeral service for Patricia E. Studnicka will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Pastor Jean Clayton officiating. Interment will follow at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege.

Patricia Eileen "Pat" Studnicka, 78 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney, Nebraska. Patricia was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on November 4, 1947, the second of three girls, born to Lloyd and Helen (Denker) Smith. She received her education from Bellevue Public School and graduated from Bellevue High School with the class of 1966. She pursued higher education and received a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Kearney State College.

Following her education, Pat student taught in Holdrege and loved the community.  She stayed and worked in the Holdrege Public Schools for 44 years, teaching art to students at the elementary and middle schools. She affected the lives of many students throughout the years. Pat coached Girls' track for shot put.  She took one of her athletes to the Olympic trials in Oregon. She was a cheerleader sponsor for over 18 years. While her kids were in school, she always enjoyed helping out.

On May 31, 1983, Pat was united in marriage to Robert Studnicka in Las Vegas, Nevada, and to this union two children were born: Kathryn "Katie" and Charles "Chuck".

Pat enjoyed bowling and watching all sports.  Her favorite team was the Nebraska Cornhuskers.  She especially loved the Husker Volleyball team, both watching and attending games.  She also enjoyed feeding the birds and spending time with her grand dogs (Bella and Emma). She went to the YMCA every morning except Tuesdays, when she and some other retired educators would get together for coffee and breakfast. These ladies also enjoyed getting together for the Friday Afternoon Club. Pat loved celebrating and decorating for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

She was a member of Alpha Zi Delta and the Nebraska State Education Association. She volunteered at Bethel Lutheran Church, Phelps County Food Pantry, and delivered meals on wheels.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents; her parents-in-law (Lumir and Ella Studnicka); five brothers-in-law: Michael Keating, Steven Studnicka, Herb Roeser, Jeff Pippitt, Keith Miller, and two sisters-in-law: Janet Ross and Cheryl Miller.

Pat is survived by her husband, Robert Studnicka of Holdrege; children: Katie Studnicka of Omaha;

Chuck of Kearney, Nebraska; two sisters: Barbara Keating-Shepard and her husband, Michael of LaVista, Nebraska; Marcia Workman and her husband, David of LaVista; one brother-in-law, Ronald Studnicka and his wife, Michelle of Sidney, Nebraska; four sisters-in-law: LaNita Roeser of Grand Island, Nebraska; Louella Pippitt of Sidney; Cynthia Yantzi and her husband, Steven of Kemmerer, Wyoming; Lila Studnicka of Grand Island; and a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Pat's honor, and we kindly suggest to the Phelps County Food Pantry, PO BOX 78, Holdrege, NE 68949; or to Bethel Lutheran Church.

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

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.