Richard John Arthur Kreulen

Richard John Arthur Kreulen is the precious first-born child of Richard and Hilda Kreulen. He was born on Sunday, April 5, 1981 in Sterling, Colorado. He was a true source of joy to Rick and Hilda, and their hope in the uncertain days of a late 1981 move to Omaha, Nebraska. This very happy and silly toddler became the Big Brother to Miranda Elizabeth Marie, born in 1983. The two babies quickly became playmates and friends – a close relationship that continues today; Ricky, always the protective Big Brother.

Ricky’s education began at Covenant Christian School. He graduated from Central Christian High School and went on to earn a Criminal Justice undergraduate degree from University of Nebraska - Omaha. His formal education was completed in 2012 when he earned a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice, also from UNO. Yes, Ricky was passionate about UNO and was very pleased to be a part of their 2013-2014 Young Alumni Academy.

“On the payroll” … at age 13, Ricky received his first official summer paycheck as an umpire for YMCA baseball. Another check came to him as a basketball referee in the winter. This little “side job” continued through the years. Even now, he was a referee for the YMCA and the Catholic schools. Ricky’s “real” work included being a security officer, a guard at the men’s correctional facility, and lastly, a State of Nebraska juvenile probation officer and a Health and Human Services case manager.

“Off the payroll” … Ricky volunteered at the Heartland Hope Food Pantry, the Rose Children’s Theater, the Children’s Museum, Relay for Life, and more. He also enjoyed many opportunities at Prairie Lane Church, including a leadership role with the Cadets boys program, worship team sound tech, children’s Christmas program lighting tech, a leader with the senior high mission trips, building and grounds work, and the LifeHouse pantry. Even now in his passing, he will be helping others through the Nebraska Organ Recovery Systems.

Ricky enjoyed so many different things in life; a few of his favorites: UNO Hockey – he was an avid fan and supporter from its’ inception. Time after time, he patiently explained the game to the ladies in his family. The Orpheum Theater – he was a season ticket holder and frequently treated his family to front row seats of a Broadway production coming through Omaha. A Wild Ride – Ricky introduced his family to the joy of the wonderful world of roller coasters. Amusement parks were often the highlight - and, very often the destination - of family vacations.

These are the facts of the life of Richard John Arthur Kreulen. Whether you knew him as Rick or Ricky, as family, friend, or co-worker, we trust that your relationship with him allowed you to see and enjoy more than simply the “facts” about him.

Words cannot fully express the treasure Ricky is to us, but words are all we have. The sweet child Ricky matured into a sweet, kind, strong man. He was curious, he was intelligent, he was patient, he was giving. He was a calm and steady voice of reason, encouraging us, “well . . . begin here and take one step at a time”, carrying us through difficult times. He was the perfect balance that was so often needed.

We are already missing him so. At this moment, we are missing the simple, everyday things: the sight of his pickup coming up our driveway, the sound of his keys jingling as he comes through the front door, his deep voice calling out a quick “hello” from the hallway. We long to see his quiet smile across the kitchen table, to enjoy his special sense of humor, his “only Ricky” comments, to talk about the day, to engage in perhaps a small debate (in which Ricky would most assuredly have the facts and a position), to hear him in quiet concern asking, “are you okay?”, to laugh at the look on his face and hear him moan and groan at the suggestion of playing a family board game, to watch him gathering up his tools to help with a project, to plan together a family outing, or to just sit together in the family room on a Sunday afternoon … the girls falling asleep while the boys watch the football game. Yes, we are missing the moments of just being … together.

Ricky loved his Lord, he loved his family. And we love him. We thank the Lord for Ricky, and we thank Ricky for what he brought to us as his little family. We will hold him close in our hearts until the day we see him again in his – and our – complete perfection in Christ our Lord.

To God be the glory.

Rick, Hilda and Miranda