Ezequiel “Zeke” Soriano, age 84 of Nebraska City, NE passed away very suddenly and unexpectedly on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Nebr. City.

Ezequiel was born on April 10, 1940 in Austin, TX; the son of Pablo and Patricia (Villanueva) Soriano.  He grew up and attended school in Texas and the family later moved to Hamburg, IA.  He married Lola Parks in 1960 in Hamburg, IA and to this union three children were born:  Ezequiel “Paul”, Sally and Katherine. The couple later divorced and he later married Diane L. Wichman on June 11, 1978 in Nebr. City, NE.  They shared 39 years together before her passing on September 22, 2017. 

Zeke worked at the former Morton House Kitchens in Nebraska City and later at Excel (Cargill).   He worked at Cargill for over 30 years before retiring.  In his honor, his helmet still hangs at the Cargill Plant.  He was a member of the Eagles Club and Wildwood Golf Club, where he golfed countless rounds of golf.  He was an avid runner and cyclist and loved entertaining with his juggling and unicycle riding skills.  He also repaired numerous bicycles over the years for many people.

He is survived by his children:  Sally Sheib of Nebr. City, NE and Katherine Maras (Greggory) of Hartford, SD; seven grandchildren:  Joe, Kyle and Chris Sheib, Bud Mullins (Ashley), Cody Campbell (Magdalena), Heather Mullins (Alan Epley) and Makenna Maras; four great-grandchildren:  Hannah Jones, Hayley Mullins, Elijah Epley, Valerie Campbell and one great-great granddaughter:  Lorraine Grace Lambert; siblings:  Neto Soriano of Largo Vista, TX, Pat Sumner of Lincoln, NE, Tony Soriano of Nebr. City, NE, Frank Soriano (Karlene) of Nebr. City, NE; other family and many friends.

In addition to his wife Diane, he was preceded in death by his son Ezequiel “Paul” Soriano (2021), son-in-law Roger Sheib and sisters:  Connie and Lupe.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 12, 2024 at Gude Mortuary in Nebr. City, NE.  Burial will follow in Wyuka Cemetery in Nebr. City.

The family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, (12/11) at the mortuary.

A memorial fund is being established in his memory.

Remembrances may be left at www.gudefuneralhomes.com.

Gude Mortuary in Nebr. City is in charge of arrangements.