In Memory of John P. Korgie

John P. Korgie, 76, of Columbus died Monday, June 9, 2003 at Columbus Community Hospital.  Services are 10:30 am Thursday, June 12, 2003 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Columbus with the Rev. Christopher Grimmond officiating. Visitation is on Wednesday from 3-5 pm at McKown Funeral Home and after 6:00 pm at St. Anthony Catholic Church with a Vigil service at 8:00 pm, also at the church.  Visitation continues Thursday morning from 8-10 am at McKown Funeral Home.  Interment is in St. Bonaventure Cemetery with Military Honors by Hartman Post # 84 American Legion Honor Guard.

John Korgie, a prominent member of the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree, died Monday June 9, 2003 at Columbus Community Hospital after an eight year battle with cancer.
John Paul Korgie was born July 5, 1926 in Columbus, the son of Joseph F. and Helen (Rodak) Korgie and lived his entire life in Columbus.  John was a lifetime member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, of which his grandfather, Paul Rodak was a co-founder. He was altar server, usher, trustee, extraordinary minister, lector, CCD coordinator, member and past-member of the Holy Name Society, past-president of the Parish Council, and was a member of St. Anthony Endowment Committee.  He was a charter member of St. Anthony Knights of Columbus Council 9264 and served as Lecturer, Knightly News Editor, Public Relations Director, First Degree Team, Funeral Mass Server, and Grand Knight. He joined the John F. Kennedy Assembly 605 Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus in 1986 and served as Faithful Navigator in 1997-98. He was a delegate to the Knights of Columbus National Convention in Montreal in 1997. He served as District Deputy (1994-1998) and received the Nebraska State District Deputy of the Year Award for 1996, 1997 & 1998. John was appointed State Master for the Knights of Columbus and served until 2002.
John begin a pioneering career in the data processing field with Consumer's Public Power District (now NPPD) in 1953. He worked with Peat Marwick & Mitchell in 1967 and also taught data processing at Platte Community College in 1967 & 1968. In 1968 John founded the Data Center of Nebraska and remained President until his retirement in 1994.  John was a World War II veteran, having served in the US Navy from June 1944 until July 1946.  He was a member of the Columbus Volunteer Fire Department for 15 years, serving with Hose Company #1 and the Gas Mask Squad. He was active in Civil Defense and served as assistant director for 2 years.  He was a member of American Legion Post #84, Eagle's 50 year member and Sertoma International life member & past president.  John served two terms on the Columbus City Council & was appointed by Mayor Milton Wagner to the first Airport Authority in 1958, serving first as Secretary and then elected to a second term as President. He was instrumental in developing the airport & extending the runway to permit larger commercial aircraft.

He is survived by:

Wife Phyllis Korgie of Columbus, NE
Son Mike (Janine) Korgie of Overland Park, KS
Son Bill (Cindy) Korgie of Genoa, NE
Son Joe (Tammy) Korgie of Troy, NY
Daughter Kim (Terry) Campbell of Seaside, OR
Daughter Jean (Buck) Jones of Rising City, NE
Daughter Jane Chlopek of Columbus, NE
Daughter Nancy Osantowski of Columbus, NE
Daughter Sheri (Sam) Giustra of Columbus, NE
Sister Rita (Randy) Blanchard of San Diego, CA
Sister Gloria (Ray) Bonk of Columbus, NE
Sister Irene (Emil) Zoucha of Columbus, NE

He is preceded in death by:

Father Joseph F. Korgie
Mother Helen Korgie
Son Patrick Korgie
Brother Rev. Fr. Clarence Korgie