Margie Ruth Reznicek

Margie Ruth (Owings) Reznicek died at age 80 in Omaha, NE. She left this earthly home to join her Lord in heaven on Thursday, December 26, 2024.

Margie was born to Cecil and Christine Owings on Thursday, January 6, 1944, in Sioux City, Iowa. She was the youngest of eight, having three half-brothers: George, Elrod, and Albert, as well as her sister Elaine and brothers Bill, John, and Tom.

Margie grew up in the Sioux City area and graduated from Leeds High School. She liked to tell stories of being a waitress in her early days. Her daughter, Mindy, remembers her mom telling about the time as a young woman when Margie bought a bus ticket for a cross-country trip. She was able to stop and stay over in cities before re-boarding, so she got odd jobs, lived with roommates in different cities, and had quite the adventure. She even had a short stint as a pageant contestant! In her early 20s, Margie worked at Pinkerton's Investigations in Omaha as a secretary and even took a few jobs as an undercover investigator. However, she never liked how those roles made her feel like she was breaking people’s trust, so she didn’t continue that for long.

When Margie was 26, she met Eddie Reznicek, whom she fell in love with. They were married at Saint Cecilia's Cathedral on November 12, 1970, in Omaha, Nebraska. Eddie and Margie moved to Fremont, Nebraska, where Eddie worked at an abstracting business. In July of 1974, Margie became the mother of Chad Edward Reznicek. This became the beginning of her career as a loving and dedicated mother.

When Chad was young, Margie became involved in the Christian Women’s Club in Fremont, NE. She met Steve and Mindy Peterson, who began teaching her more about Jesus. Her sister Elaine, a missionary in Japan, had planted seeds for years. Furthermore, it was through her Bible studies and attending church that she found THE answer: her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Margie loved the Lord and loved others. She began taking Chad with her to church and praying for Eddie to also know the Lord. In November of 1977, Mindy Faith Reznicek was born, and Margie's family was complete. Eventually, all of her family followed her example and came to saving faith in the Lord.

Margie was a faithful and loving wife, supporting her husband Eddie and helping him over the years in his many business ventures. Chad remembers the story of the family, in 1980, visiting an outdoor miniature golf course that was busy, despite being plagued by mosquitos. Inspired by people’s desire for entertainment, even with the humidity and bugs, Eddie and Margie took the risk to go into business and open an indoor miniature golf center with a few of the “newfangled video games”, in Fremont called the ‘Family Fun Center’. A location in Grand Island followed in 1981, and then a third location in Omaha in 1982. In 1983, she and Eddie moved their family to Ralston, NE. Shortly after, they moved to Omaha, NE, as the Omaha location outpaced the others, they eventually decided to close the other two locations. Eddie would always say, "Gotta do it for the kids," as if it was his life mission to bring joy to all the kids of the city and beyond. Margie was there by him, supporting, encouraging, bookkeeping, helping behind the scenes, witnessing to customers through her Christian tract rack and Christian music, as well as trying to temper Eddie’s sometimes overzealous ambitions. They made a fabulous team and were loved by all their employees.

She was so much more than a proud and dedicated homemaker, mother, and wife. She was also very active in ministry and volunteering at church and other Christian organizations. She ran the tape ministry at Trinity Church for years, taught Sunday school, acted in the Sketches of Life group and Christmas pageants, and served at many Family Camps, Bible studies, women’s groups, international nights, and neighborhood fellowship groups over the years. Due to their house being close to UNO, they were an ideal home for taking in international exchange students. She went on to welcome countless Japanese and Afghan students into her home to live with her family, experience American life, and feel God's love while showing her children other cultures and life experiences.

Margie loved her extended family and often had her mother, in-laws, siblings, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins into her home for meals and celebrations. Many Thanksgivings and holidays were spent with lots of family crammed into the house, cooking the biggest turkey she could find and stretching the table as big as it could get. Margie brought her A-game when it came to holiday meals and treats. She loved her children's friends and their families, welcoming them into her home too—sharing meals, hosting parties, and having fun. Everyone whose life she touched would have known her generosity, felt her love, and seen her joy in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She had a zest for life that was contagious, and she has gifted those left behind with a strong legacy of many things, but most importantly, her faithfulness to God.

Margie is survived by her son Chad (and wife Allison) Reznicek of Waterloo, NE; her daughter Mindy (and husband Jeremy) Gierke of Omaha, NE; as well as her precious grandchildren: Tim, Calli, Tiffany, Chloe, Davina, Lexi, Luke, Miah, Cadence, Kinley, and one great granddaughter. Margie is preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, her dear husband Eddie, and her grandchild Isaac Gierke.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 3, 2025, at John A. Gentleman 72nd Street Chapel in Omaha, NE. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service honoring Margie’s memory will be on Saturday at 10:00 a.m., also at John A. Gentleman 72nd Street Chapel. Interment will follow at Flower Hill Cemetery in Omaha, NE. The family hopes you can join them to remember and celebrate her life.