Reynold E. Hladky of Bee, Nebraska was born on September 20, 1937, in Seward County, Nebraska to Edward A. and Theresa (Kunasek) Hladky and passed away on February 11, 2020, in Seward, Nebraska at the age of 82 years, 4 months and 22 days. Rey attended Bee Public School then Seward High School and graduated with the Class of 1955. He helped his father on the farm and worked at Dale Products in Columbus. He also served in the National Guard from 1960 to 1966.

Rey married Mildred (Kral) Barber on December 29, 1962 in Wilber, Nebraska, and to this union five children were born, Rebecca, Geannine, Katherine, Julie and John. He also was stepfather to Mildred's son, Steven Barber. Rey worked at American Stores in Lincoln, Nebraska, for 20 years, before it closed and he began working in the tractor and implement business, retiring at the age of 66 after years as a truck driver for Nebraska Equipment in Seward.

His garden was his passion, raising plenty to share, as well as working on anything with engines; he could fix anything. He loved children and delighted in spending time with his five grandchildren. He loved to make sauerkraut and can pickles as well as put up corn. His grandchildren would request "Grandpa's pickles" be brought when he visited. He loved Polka music and prune kolaches, as well as almost anything Czech. His faith was admirable, as he spent nearly 4 hours a day in prayer, and served as a Lector and Acolyte for his church, St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Bee. He served as a volunteer for the Bee Volunteer Fire Department and a Village Trustee for the Village of Bee from 1974 to 1982.

Rey is preceded in death by his parents; stepson, Steven Barber; daughter, Rebecca Hladky; sisters, Betty Tvrdy, Ellen Jiskra and JoAnn Hladky; sisters-in-law and spouse, Evelyne (Gilbert) Anderson, Dorothy Casteel and Lorraine Bamberry.

Survivors include his wife, Mildred; four children and spouses, Geannine (Jon) Darby, Perry Hall, Maryland, Katherine (Gary) Ritter, Hill City, South Dakota, Julie Rickels, Lincoln and John Hladky, Bee; five grandchildren, Matthew Honeycutt, Theresa Honeycutt , Nathan Rickels, Rachel Rickels and Benjamin Rickels; brother and spouse, Edward (Marilyn) Hladky; brothers-in-law, Eugene Tvrdy, Larry Jiskra and Tom Casteel; 24 nieces and nephews. To this obituary, we add our thoughts, prayers and memories of life shared with Rey.