Daniel J. Kouma

Daniel Joseph Kouma was born on November 14, 1937, on the family farm east of Bee, Nebraska. He was number seven of eight children, the son of Louis Anthony and Clara (Hain) Kouma. He passed away on April 7, 2026, surrounded by his family at the age of 88 years, 4 months and 24 days.

Dan was baptized at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Bee. He grew up in the Bee area where he attended District #68 grade school and graduated from Seward High School with the Class of 1956. Dan met the love of his life, Lyla Kay Polak, at a football game in David City. They were united in marriage on September 13, 1958, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in David City, Nebraska. He enlisted into the U.S. Navy Reserve on December 12, 1955, and traveled by a steam engine train all night to get to basic training in Great Lakes, IL. He was honorably discharged on June 5, 1957. Dan later enlisted into the U.S. Army Reserve on June 5, 1960, and was honorably discharged on June 5, 1963.

The couple moved to the family farm south of Bee where they resided ever since. Dan had a bond with the land and was a lifelong farmer. He loved his family and enjoyed working with his sons and grandsons every day on the farm, raising livestock and running the dozer to preserve the land for future generations. Dan started playing the accordion by ear in 1962. In 1965, he began playing in The Seward Polka Dots band. Dan played with a lot of musicians over the years playing polka, waltz, and country music. He performed for weddings, in bars, several dance halls and parades. Dan received a hero award after he pulled a man out of his burning car after an accident. He was a lifelong member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church where he served on the church board. Dan also served on the Bee School Board, Bee Elevator Board, Feeders and Breeders Board and the FSA Board for several years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lyla Kouma in 2020; three grandsons, Braden Ewbank, Logan Ewbank, and Jessie Kouma; granddaughter-in-law, Tammy Kouma; one great-granddaughter, Brooke Baker; brothers and sisters and their spouses, Louis Kouma, Lad Kouma, Gary Kouma, Bernard and Myra Kouma, Georgia and Lou Policky, Mary and Ken Wietzki; sisters-in-law, Janice and Harry Crook,; brother-in-law; Jim and Kathy Polak, Col. Matt Mlekush.

Survivors cherishing his memory include his six children and their spouses, Becky and Thomas Odell, Bee, Daniel and Jody Kouma, Bee, Barbara and Ed Ewbank, Bee, Theresa and Glenn Hain, Seward, Vicki and Burt Lintt, Redfield, AR and Tommy Kouma, Seward; 15 grandchildren: Nichole Odell, Crystal and Brett Meves, Amy and Matthew Baker, Danny Lee Kouma, Darek and Lisa Kouma, Jared Kouma and Dorian Krska, Mathew and Gina Kouma, Sara and Tyler Hrupek, Michael Kouma and fiancé, Callie Murphy, Wendy and Jef Wulf, Ethan and Alexa Ewbank, Brian and Tessa Hain, Jake and Raechel Hain, Jordon Lintt, Joe and Crystal Lintt; great-grandchildren: Eva Meves, Bailey Baker, Aaron Wulf, Logan Wulf, Piper Wulf, Hunter Hain, Claire Hain, Wade Kouma, Kaley Kouma, Wyatt Kouma, Klara Kouma, Trentin Kouma, Coltin Kouma, Maverick Kouma, Lawson Lintt, Vallen Lintt, Charli Ewbank; sister, Ellen Mlekush, Murphy Burrow, TN. To this obituary we add our thoughts, prayers and memories of a life shared with Daniel.

“We extend a very special thank you to Kasey Nicolaus from Grace and Wellness for the professional, compassionate care shown to our dad and our family over the past three years. Your kindness and dedication will never be forgotten.”