Patricia Golka, mother of Bishop James Golka, dies Jan. 5 at age 86

Patricia J. “Pat” Golka, 86, of Grand Island, NE died Monday, January 5, 2026, at CHI Health St. Francis with family by her side. Mass of Christian burial will be Friday, January 9, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Leo’s Catholic Church. The Most Rev. James R. Golka will preside with priests of the Dioceses of Grand Island and Colorado Springs concelebrating, assisted by Deacons Ron Golka and Bill Buchta. Interment will be in the Grand Island City Cemetery with a meal at St. Mary’s Cathedral Square following the committal service. Memorials are suggested to the Bishop Golka Legacy Fund at Grand Island Central Catholic. Your thoughts and prayers may be given at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under Pat’s obituary. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.

Pat was born July 6, 1939, in Lawrence, NE, the daughter of Hubert and Louise (Brockman) Ostdiek. She graduated from Lawrence High School in 1957. She continued her education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in May of 1961. She married Robert J. “Bob” Golka on August 5, 1961, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Lawrence, NE. Pat taught the first female Physical Education class in the early 1960’s at GICC before staying home to raise her ten children. She later managed the Knights of Columbus Hall after Tim left the crib. She and Bob were charter members of St. Leo’s Catholic Church and served in various parish ministries. Pat was Director of Religious Education at St. Leo’s from 1982 – 1990. She then began teaching Theology at GICC in 1990 and continued for sixteen years. During these years she helped develop the senior retreat which she organized and directed until 2010. Pat continued as a substitute teacher until 2015.

Pat’s playful and loving nature made it easier for those around her to feel welcomed and inspired in their faith. She had an ability to connect with her grandchildren in playful ways even if it meant bending the rules (cheating) at cards. Her enduring habit of mixing up names became known as “the litany of the saints”. Her feisty and loving personality brought joy to family gatherings. She was known to be onery, but thoughtful, warm, radiant and loving as a five-foot (vertically challenged) gentle giant.

Pat will be missed by her husband of 64 years, Bob Golka, of Grand Island, NE and her children:

Rev. Mr. Ron (Chris) Golka of Grand Island, NE

John (Pam) Golka of Omaha, NE

Barb (Scott) Brokaw of Grand Island, NE

Most Rev. James R. Golka of Colorado Springs, CO

Cindy (Jim) Jussel of Shawnee, KS

Greg (Tiffany) Golka of Omaha, NE

Sheri (Mike) Genereux of Honey Creek, IA

Gary (Tanya) Golka of Waconia, MN

Tim (Jenny) Golka of Grand Island, NE

Others left to cherish her memory include her grandchildren, Joseph Golka, Michael (Leah) Golka, Sarah (Shawn) Ruzicka, Katie (Kris) Czerwiec, Brian (Madeline Burkemper) Golka, Brianna (Dustin) Olson, Brett (Leah) Brokaw, Brady (Anna) Brokaw, Kylie Jussel, Kaci Jussel, Josie Golka, Sophie Golka, Addie Golka, Clara Genereux, Ryan Genereux, Aaron Golka, Madison Golka, Mia Golka, Cody Golka, Kade Golka, Marissa Golka, and great-grandchildren, James Golka; Eloise, Theodore and Phillip Ruzicka; Gabe and Lilah Czerwiec; Nadine, Loretta and Riley Burkemper Golka; Ruby and Elise Brokaw; Mallory and Nell Brokaw; Brothers Lee (Joyce) Ostdiek of Grand Island, Larry (Diane) Ostdiek of Gretna, Allen (Nancy) Ostdiek of Lawrence, sister Doris Bradley of Neenah, Wisconsin, brother-in-law Rich Sullivan of Superior, sisters-in-law Helen Ostdiek of Lincoln, Jan Ostdiek of Gretna and Sharroll Golka of Omaha; nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

Pat is preceded in death by daughter Jean Golka; parents, Hubert and Louise; brothers Al Ostdiek, Glen (Barb) Ostdiek, Joe Ostdiek, Marion (Veronica) Ostdiek, and Bob Ostdiek, sisters Mary Alice (Dick) Meyer, Lou Ann (Dick) Mitton, Julene Sullivan; and brother in-law Jack Bradley.