Milton E. Naprstek

Milton E. Naprstek, 78, of Minden, passed away on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Christian Homes Care Community in Holdrege, where he has lived the last month. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Minden with Rev. William Zwick officiating. The service will be streamed to the church’s YouTube page. Interment with military honors will be held following the service at the Minden Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Craig Funeral Home in Minden. Memorials in Milton’s honor are kindly suggested to the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Minden, the Minden Volunteer Fire Department, or to Brookstone Hospice in Kearney. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden. Milton Edwin Naprstek was born on October 5, 1946, in Lexington, NE to Milford (Hap) William Naprstek Sr. and Myrtle Bessie nee’ (Bartos) Naprstek. He was the 7th child of 12 (5 boys and 7 girls), of which all of their names began with the letter “M”. He attended country school up till high school when the family moved into town. He was baptized on February 21,1960, and confirmed on December 16, 1962, both at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elwood. Milton was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington, and in 1990 transferred to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Minden. Milton graduated from Lexington High School Class of 1966. He was one of many classmates that were drafted during school, but they were allowed to finish and graduate. Then in June of 1966 he left for basic training for the United States Army. He was then stationed in Stuttgart, Germany as a cook. He was discharged in June of 1968. When he came home, having been gone for 2 years, he didn’t know who was still single around town. So, with the help of a cousin, his bride to be was picked out of the high school yearbook. On July 3, 1969, he married Arla Kay Shelor in Lexington. To this union two daughters were born. Jeni and Amanda Naprstek. Lexington was their home until 1990 then they moved to Minden. Milton worked at various places during school. One being a full-service gas station attendant and at the Lexington Chicken Hatchery. He always talked about taking care of the eggs, the baby chicks and making deliveries. Then after the Army he stayed with his sister in Minden while he was employed at Minden Beef. After he married Arla, they made their first home in Minden for a year. They moved back to Lexington. There he drove truck for the Hay Mill, was at Monroe Auto as a welder, then Cornland Beef in rendering until it closed. He then was an auto tender at Eaton Corporation in Kearney until his retirement. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, but his biggest enjoyment was camping out at Fort Kearney with family and friends. He was an avid coffee drinker. He met with a group every morning and afternoon at Uncle Neals now Fill-n-Chill. Milton is survived by his wife, Arla (Shelor) Naprstek; daughters, Jeni Miller and Amanda Naprstek; three granddaughters, Karla Miller and fiancé, Jacob Castaneda, of Mesa, AZ, Samantha (Sami) Miller of Minden, and Koren Naprstek of Minden; brother, Milford “Hap” Naprstek Jr. (Loretta) Lexington; sisters, Mary Ann Todd of Simi Valley, CA, Marilyn Fuqua of Kearney, Martha Dory of Lexington, Marjorie (George) Trent, Columbus;. brother-in-law, Daniel Shelor of Lexington; sister-in-law, Anita (Mike) Millican of Cozad; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended relatives and close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Milford Sr. and Myrtle(Bartos) Naprstek; three brothers, Melvin, Marvin and Marion Naprstek; three sisters, Maxine Rieker, Marcella “Sally” Esslinger and Marsha Pearson; one sister-in-law, Carol Naprstek, seven brothers- in- law, Wesley Esslinger, Dean Rieker, Harry Fuqua, Joe Pearson, Ed Dory, Don Todd Sr. and John (Annette) Shelor; one son- in-law, Adam Miller; parents-in-law, George and Eleanor Shelor; as well as many other family members and friends. Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com.

Milton E. Naprstek

October 5, 1946 - April 18, 2025