Monte Krabiel

Monte R. Krabiel, age 72, of Kearney, passed away on January 6, 2024 at the Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney. Memorial services will be on Saturday, July 6, 2024 at 10 a.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Kearney. Mother Stephanie Swinnea will officiate and inurnment will take place in the church prayer garden. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to the Kearney Rescue Cats, Kearney Area Animal Shelter or Riverside Animal Hospital. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney are in charge of arrangements.
Monte was born on July 1, 1951 to Ross Eldon and Shirley (Cramer) Krabiel in Hastings. He grew up on the family farm north of Stockham. He attended school in Stockham until it closed. He then transferred to Aurora, and attended until his graduation in 1969. After high school, Monte attended the University of Nebraska where he studied engineering, electricity and electronics. While in college he was a bass player for the UNL band, The Chancellor’s and later operated as their sound technician. He graduated from the University in 1972 with a BA in English Literature. Monte then moved to Kearney and began working at Stanal Sound. His career as a sound technician lead to him going on the road with many rock and roll groups including John Denver, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan and many others. He was responsible for building much of the supporting equipment. In 1992 JBL Professional bought Stanal Sound. Monte was a big part of the group that established the business in Kearney and built large systems for many venues. In 1998 JBL left Kearney and in 1999 Monte began working for Balwin Filters in Electrical Maintenance. On May 1, 1999 Monte married Lyn Kidd. Upon his retirement, he was able to build his dream shop and spent many happy hours in it. He was a journeyman electrician, an amateur machinist, an electronic sound repairman and a tool collector. He and Lyn spent hours attending auctions, garage sales, movies, junk jaunts and concerts in the park.
Left to cherish his memory are his sister, Sheryl Krabiel; wife, Lyn Krabiel; nieces, Alissa Kidd, Jenilee Vanwormer (Charlie Jensen); nephew, John Hansen (Jennifer) and many grand nephews, grand nieces and wonderful friends he met along the way.
Monte was preceded in death by his parents, Ross and Shirley Krabiel; sister, Janis Hanson; uncles, Dennis Cramer and Darryl Cramer; aunt, Phyllis Munn.