David Lee Kaul

David Lee Kaul, age 75, of Grand Island, passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2026 at the Genoa Longterm Care surrounded by his loving family. A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, February 20th at 10:30am at Peace Lutheran Church with Pastor Carl Eliason officiating. The service will be livestreamed on Facebook at Peace Lutheran Celebration Of Life-Grand Island. Burial will be held at the Evergreen Cemetery in St. Edward at 2pm. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 19th from 5-7pm at Peace Lutheran Church. All Faiths Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to St. Edward FFA Department, Holy Cross Music Department or the Ryder Park Foundation. Condolences can be left at www.giallfaiths.com. David Lee Kaul was born into this world on January 17th, 1951 in Fremont, Nebraska to Ralph Henry Kaul and Edith (Edie) Lucille Kaul (McAvoy). He was baptized at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod Fremont Nebraska on March 25, 1951. David had a brother and a sister. Mark who is 2 years younger and the baby sister Lora was just 17 months younger than Mark. Grandma had her hands full with these three. They lived out on a farm North of St. Ed. They went to country school, District # 31 until 8th grade. Decades later when the three of them came together, along with Peg Andreasen, they would regale you of tales of country school days. They talked about riding the old horse Tony across the section to get to school, skipping school to go sledding, playing games outside and getting the teacher so involved she would skip the schoolwork for the day, and coming home to the farm to have cream puffs waiting for them. They were a family out in the country always taking care of one another, and the stories and happy times would bring smiles to all their faces. The Kaul family attended the rural St Ansgar Lutheran Church and he was confirmed there June 19, 1966. David then went to St. Edward High School, St Edward NE. During high school he met Rita Schroeter in the neighboring town of Newman Grove. David graduated from St. Edward High School in May 1970. He attended Central Community College in Columbus, NE that fall. On October 12, 1971 he enlisted into the Army and on February 12, 1972, began his basic combat training. He specialized as a Sharpshooter (rifle). He then went on to serve in the Army National Guard for 6 years. After basic training was completed he returned to rural St. Edward and continued farming with his Dad. On July 21, 1973 David and Rita were united in marriage at Trinity Lutheran church in Newman Grove, Nebraska. They purchased the farm just south of his parents house and lived there for 15 years. The farm is where they made their home and started their family. They had three daughters, Kristin, the oldest, Sara just 20 months younger and the baby sister, Rebecca. They moved to Kearney in 1987 spent a few years in “the city”. After the passing of Ralph and Edith in the early 90’s they moved back to the family farm for the girls to go through high school at their dad’s alma mater. After the kids all graduated, they moved back to the Kearney area. More than this chronological telling of life’s happenings what really defines David’s life is who he was as a person. It was his everyday vocations from God that were the most important to him of being a husband, father, grandfather and friend. Honest, reliable, responsible and an ever-loyal person. He had an unimposing presence; he didn’t want to be the center of attention. But his presence made a difference. He was always there to lend a helping hand, a listening ear, or whatever he had to give. And the thing is, he didn’t know how good he was, he just was; ever humble to the end. He had a quick wit, a dry sense of humor and you often received a smirk in response. If you needed to know gas prices in a three-state area, he could tell you. Need to know the weather for the area? He had you covered long before smart phones existed. While David left farming long ago, “once a farmer always a farmer” he always kept up on what was happening in the farming world. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Rita Kaul; daughters, Kristin (Jeremy) Lewandowski of Grand Island, Sara (Levi) Brownwood of York and Rebecca (Neto) DaCruz of Kearney; grandchildren, Hailey and Gavin Lewandowski, Emmett and Edith “Elle” Brownwood and Braiden and Marcelino Jr. DaCruz; brother, Mark Kaul of Auburn; sister, Lora Grape of St. Edward; beloved dog, Sonny and nieces and nephews. David was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Edith Kaul; parents in-law, Ray and Marilyn Schroeter; grandparents; brothers in-law, Ron Grape and Duane Gettert and sister in-law, Dorothy Kaul.

David Lee Kaul

January 17, 1951 - February 8, 2026

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David Lee Kaul

January 17, 1951 - February 8, 2026

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

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