Ted Mikulicz, Jr.

Thadduscz Joseph Mikulicz (Ted Jr.) was born January 31, 1940 in Sioux City, Iowa to Thadduscz (Ted) Sr. and Marjorie Mcnamara Mikulicz. His Grandmother, Stefania, named him Thadduscz, a family name, while his mother was unconscious from the birth.

Ted was the oldest of three children, including his brother Terry (deceased) and sister, Judy of Arlington, Texas.

He grew up in Sioux City and had many friends, many of whom he stayed connected to until the end. He graduated from Bishop Heelan High School in 1958 where he excelled at football, basketball, and track. He received numerous football scholarship offers, but due to a transcript error, attended Wayne State University where he majored in partying and hallway bowling in the dorms. 

Ted moved back to Sioux City and worked for Armor Packing. Ted considered himself a smooth operator and when he saw a pretty brunette at a pizza parlor, he got her phone number from one of her friends and flashed her number to her with his fingers. When she realized what he was doing, it was too late, they were in love. On their first date, when he arrived to pick her up, he saw her parents who he worked with at Armor. Sam Davis, a man he loved and admired, and his future mother-in-law, Viola, a woman he loathed and feared. Ted and Barbara Davis were married on March 3, 1962. On December 5, 1962, they had their first son Ronald Joseph.

After the packing plants laid off many workers, Ted went to Omaha, Nebraska and attended Universal Tech to learn trade in appliance and HVAC repair. Later the family moved to Omaha and he worked for Brandeis and Clarkson Hospital.

On April 20, 1966, Timothy Douglas was born. While Barb was in labor, Ted was in the cafeteria eating coconut cream pie. After a brief time back in Sioux City, the family moved back to Omaha where they would stay.

When the boys were young, Barbara became very ill and needed constant care. For a few years, Ted worked full-time and raised his young sons with the help of caring family and neighbors. Ted never complained or shirked his duties as a husband and a father. Family was always his top priority, far above himself.

In the 70s, Ted worked for, and then owned Donovan Bros. Heating, which he and Barb ran together until his retirement in 2002. Work was only a means to support his family.

Ted enjoyed watching his sons grow and play sports. He was very involved in such, whether he was coaching or not. That continued when his grandchildren participated in sports. He attended almost every event of every grandchild until they were grown. He loved and was very proud of each grandchild and never hesitated to brag about them to anyone.

Upon retirement Ted focused on his lawn and planted an excessive number of trees in his yard. He babysat grandkids with no notice and watched a lot of sports, especially his beloved Huskers. He enjoyed fishing with Ron and going to Husker games with Tim.

Ted had a great sense of humor and was everybody’s friend. Everyone he met was a friend.

Ted was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Barbara; parents, Ted Sr. and Marjorie, brother Terry, and grand-daughter Katie Marie.

He is survived by son Ron (Christie) and their children, Nicholas (Nicole), Michael, and Zach (Abbey); son Tim (Sheila), and their children, Jonathan, Joseph, Christian, and Anna.

Interment Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Elkhorn, Ne. will be followed by a luncheon at St Patricks.