George John Brtek CMSgt USAF (Ret)
May 25, 1932 ~ January 28, 2024
Age 91
Born in Bejou, Minnesota and passing in Omaha, George was raised on a family farm near Bejou with seven siblings. Upon graduation from Mahnomen High School in 1950, he joined the United States Air Force where he rose to the rank of CMSgt.
While in the Air Force, George was an inflight refueling operator. He flew on Boeing KC-135 and KC-97 tankers. He was stationed at Tuscon, AZ; Bermuda; Rapid City, SD; Grand Forks, ND; Atwater, CA; Bellevue, NE.
While in Bermuda, George met his future wife, Beth Fritts. They were married August 8, 1964 in Topeka, KS at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church. They were active members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bellevue, NE.
George was skilled at woodworking and made many beautiful and intricate gifts for family and friends. George and Beth enjoyed nine cruises with friends and family over the years including returning to Bermuda where they met. He was a lover of all things outdoors including camping, fishing, hunting, waterskiing and golf. George excelled at handball and racketball.
After 31 years of service, he retired from the Air Force in 1982 and became a mail carrier in South Omaha. He worked for the USPS for 12 years, retiring again in 1994. He will be remembered for his ready smile and his love of family.
Preceded in death by his parents Charles and Irene (Rock) Brtek; brother Bernard Brtek; sisters Vera Gorder and Virginia Anderson; and several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.
Survived by his wife Beth (Johnson/Fritts) Brtek; son John (Margaret) Brtek of Bellevue; daughters Becky (Vic) Grollmes of Holton, Kansas and LeAnn Brtek of Bellevue; five grandchildren: Greg (Amber) Grollmes, Amy (Hunter) Howe; Johnny, Amberly and Brittney Brtek; seven great-grandchildren: Tarynn, Ellie, Lawson, Berkleigh, Henry, Saylor and Brooks; siblings Donald Brtek, Tony (Dorene) Brtek, Valeria (Richard) Pavlish, Cynthia McCollum; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation: Monday, February 26, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m., followed by a
Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. both at St. Mary Catholic Church, 2302 Crawford Street, Bellevue 68005.
To view of a livestream of the Mass, click the link below.
Committal Service: February 26, 2:30 p.m. at the Omaha National Cemetery, 14250 Schram Road, Omaha 68138.
Military Honors: Offutt Air Force Base Honor Guard
4 Comments
Georgre an i were room mates @ Ellsworth .. Good man
Rest in peace George
I was with George at Castle. He was a real gentleman, always smiling and friendly. I considered him a friend and compatriot. Rest in peace., George,
Served with George at Grand Forks. He & Beth are dear friends. He always brought me a Northern he speared when fishing in MN. Never saw him without a smile. Honored to have known him.
Met George while attending survival school at Stead AFB. in ’64. He told me ALL about Ellsworth AFB and all the best hunting and fishing locations around here when he found out I was headed here after KC-135 school at Castle.. Made me feel like a resident before I even got here! He was a really good guy.
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