Emil J. Hiykel

Emil J. Hiykel

1948 – 2024

IDA GROVE - Emil J. Hiykel, 76, of Ida Grove, took his Lord and Savior's hand on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at his home in Ida Grove.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m., with visitation held two hours prior from 9-11 a.m., on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, at the Arthur Evangelical Free Church of Arthur. Pastor David Schultz will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, with Military Rites conducted by McNamara-Moore Post No. 61 of the American Legion of Ida Grove. 

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com.

Born on Feb. 1, 1948, in Omaha, Nebraska, Emil was the son of Fay J.G. and Marie C. (Rotolo) Hiykel. He was baptized in infancy and re-baptized in his faith in 2011 at the Country Bible Church of Blair, Nebraska.

Growing up in Omaha, Emil graduated from Tech High with the class of 1966. After high school, he enlisted into the United States Navy on June 19, 1967, serving his country during the Vietnam War. Emil was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star, and Combat Action Ribbon. He was honorably discharged in June of 1970.

After returning home, Emil worked as a police officer with the Omaha Police Department, while furthering his education at the University of Nebraska Omaha, graduating with a B.S. in Criminal Justice. After ten years with the Police Department, Emil transitioned to a career with the United States Postal Service for 26 years, where he was a manager in customer service until he retired in 2008. Emil relocated to Ida Grove, to be closer to his daughter Lyndsay and his beloved granddaughters Marley and Bailey. 

Emil was very active in the communities that he lived in. He served as Vice President of the Omaha Toastmasters, past President of Benson Commercial Club, past President and Treasurer of the Omaha Phoenician Club, and past President of the Midwest Federation of American Syrian/Lebanese Club. Emil was a mentor with the Teammates Mentoring Program in Blair, Nebraska. He was a member of the Arthur Evangelical Free Church, volunteer for the Arthur EFC AWANA program, American Legion Life Member - currently serving as the First Vice Commander, VFW Life Member, U.S.S. Sphinx ARL 24 crew member & Reunion Alumni, and was a proud veteran to ride on the Honor Flight in May of 2023.

Emil was a kind, caring, and generous man.  He was devoted to volunteering and contributing to many causes that were dear to him including St. Jude Hospital, the Peru Cemetery Auxiliary, and the Midwest Federation of American Syrian/Lebanese Club’s scholarship fund in memory of his son, Justin, receiving the Eagle Award for his contribution. He also found great pleasure in his morning routine of eating breakfast and reading the newspaper at a local restaurant, frequently covering the bill for someone else’s breakfast quietly. His sense of humor, love of watching football, family, and fishing all brought joy to his life.

Not only a faithful servant to the Lord, Emil was a devoted father, grandfather, and friend. He will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved him, especially the ones who called him “Papa.”

Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter Lyndsay (Rory) Lindberg and their daughters Marley and Bailey of Ida Grove; daughter-in-law Theresa Westfall of Peru, Nebraska; ex-wife Sandra Hiykel of Ida Grove; sisters Patty Svenningsen of Blair, Nebraska, Marie Hiykel of Omaha, Nebraska and Virginia (Stanley) Horrell of Omaha, Nebraska; brother Fay (Margee) Hiykel Jr. of Blair, Nebraska; sisters-in-law Ardelle Hiykel and Saundra Hiykel both of Omaha, Nebraska; brother-in-law Ray Crisman of Omaha, Nebraska; extended family and friends.

Emil was preceded in death by his parents Fay J.G. and Marie C. (Rotolo) Hiykel; son Justin S. Hiykel; brothers Joseph Hiykel and Raymond Hiykel; sisters Pauline Griffin/Wilson, Alice Kline, Kathy Erickson, and Loretta Suverkrubbe; and brother-in-law Arne Svenningsen.

Services: Friday, Oct. 18, at 11 a.m., Arthur Evangelical Free Church

Burial: Ida Grove Cemetery

Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home • Ida Grove • 712-364-2727