Bernard J. Menard

Bernard “Butch” James Menard, 75, passed away at home on Thursday, February 16, 2023.

Butch was born the sixth child of ten to Ben and Marie Menard in Omaha, NE on July 16, 1947. He worked at a young age in the vegetable gardens and then alongside his dad for the railroad. Soon after that he was drafted into the army during the Vietnam War. He returned from the war after receiving two Purple Hearts. A month later he met Kay on February 14, 1969. They married on September 20, that same year, and started a family together.

Family and friends were important to Butch. He wanted family around and cherished the family get-togethers on weekends, special occasions, and everything in between. He stood out as a favorite uncle for many of his nieces and nephews and was a friend to all that knew him. Butch always had time for those he cared for.

He enjoyed his many titles as husband, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, uncle, brother, brother-in-law, son, and friend. Perhaps his most favored role was being a husband to the love of his life, Kay for 53 years. The two of them were great role models for what a marriage was supposed to look like in every way. Butch always made sure Kay was the center of his world.

Second only to being a husband, he loved being a dad and grandpa. Never ever wanting to say “no” to any of them. He was always there to cheer on his kids and when they married, he couldn’t have been happier. But the real sunshine of his life was his grandkids and great grandkids. They all knew how special he was and will always remember how special he made them feel.

Throughout his life, he kept busy with winemaking, bee keeping, vacationing, wood working, baseball, golfing, coaching, and balloon chasing. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and well known for his garden, whether it be vegetables or flowers. He even played Santa for the family, and various venues, for more than 25 years. He retired from the phone company after working there for close to 40 years. Butch also loved his dogs, his time sitting on his deck, walking around his yard in the spring, and going on date nights with Kay.

Butch was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law Quinton Carpenter; mother-in-law Virginia Carpenter; sisters, Mary E. Menard and Patty Reynolds; brother Bob Menard; and brother-in-law, Rog Magner.  

He is survived by his wife, Kay; their children, Nicole Hunter (Craig) and Brett Menard (Nicole); six grandchildren, Samantha Scheen (Aaron), Kristian Ramage (Kyle), Carter Hunter, Amber Brazil-Menard (Angela), Carissa Hunter, and Cody Hunter; two greatgrandchildren, James and Adam Scheen; brother, Joe Menard (Cindy); sisters, Kathy Schneider, Margaret Peterson (Pete), Barbara Harrell, Marie Lesley, and Annette Carpender; sisters-in-law, Kim Zersen (Bill), Sherry Magner, and Francie Menard; brother-in-law Bruce Carpenter (Anne Marie); and many other family members and friends.

His family and friends are invited to share happy memories and celebrate Butch’s life in a way he would want to be remembered – as a loving and caring man who enjoyed life with others. Please join his family for a memorial visitation on March 13, 4:00 to 7:00 at Roeder Mortuary in Gretna, NE. Sharing of Memories will be from 6:30 to 7:00 that night. The date and time of the burial ceremony at Omaha National Cemetery will be announced later.