Randall "Randy" Kasik, 61 of Columbus, Nebraska, died Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Faith Health in Norfolk, Nebraska.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, August 31, at St. Isidore Catholic Church with Father Joe Miksch celebrating the Mass. Visitation will be on Sunday, from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM with a Vigil Service at 4:00 PM, all at the church. Visitation will continue on Monday, from 9:30 AM until service time, at the church. Interment will be in Wilson - St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, rural Clarkson, Nebraska. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family's choice.

Randall “Randy” Joseph Kasik was born May 26, 1965, at Schuyler Memorial Hospital to Robert and Maryann Kasik of rural Richland. Randy experienced complications during birth that resulted in cerebral palsy. While cerebral palsy was part of his life, it never defined him - Randy, his family, and the community around him would not let it limit what he could accomplish.

At nearly five years old, Randy began the Doman-Delacato method of patterning, an early form of physical therapy for children with cerebral palsy that involved repeated exercises to develop movement and coordination. Volunteers from near and far came to his farm home twice each day to work with Randy and help improve his movement.

Randy’s mother taught him to read at home, at a time when special education programs were not readily available. He attended the Opportunity Center in Columbus and, when he was seven, began attending Clarkson Grade School in classes taught by Emma Hunt.

Randy moved to Schuyler Junior High School in the seventh grade, where his fellow classmates would push him from class to class in his wheelchair. Eventually, Randy’s peers felt that he needed more independence, so students began selling candy bars throughout the community to raise money for a battery-powered wheelchair. When they reached their goal, Randy proudly showed off his new “wheels,” giving him a newfound sense of independence and giving his classmates the joy of knowing they had helped their friend.

Randy graduated from Schuyler High School in 1985, receiving the Presidential Award for Academic Fitness in the category of Extraordinary Effort.

Randy enjoyed volunteering at the Schuyler Public Library and Post Office with help from Paula Mares working with the ARC of Colfax County. He was exceptionally skilled at checkers; as a child he would prefer to play adults to get more of a challenge. Randy would religiously watch weather forecasts and could accurately predict storms and temps. His memory was impeccable; he remembered everyone’s birthday and could even tell you the weather conditions from your birthday last year.

In November of 1988, Randy moved out of the family home to a Northstar (formerly Region IV) group home in O’Neill, and then to Norfolk in 1990 where he would live for 26 years. He moved to Columbus in 2016 to be closer to his parents and then back to Norfolk to live at Mosaic. Randy cherished the many friends he made in each of these cities.

Randy was named the “Volunteer of Year” by the League of Human Dignity in 2007 and 2008 in Norfolk. He served on Northstar’s Human and Legal rights committee for many years. Randy attended Easter Seal Camp at Milford and Cedar Bluffs where he would routinely come home with the “Guy Smiley Award”. Randy had a great sense of humor and always had a smile on his face. He loved riding horses at S.M.I.L.E. near Battle Creek and even competed at the state level in Special Olympics Equestrian riding. Randy was an avid bowler, bringing home many ribbons, medals, & trophies from Special Olympics.

After successfully battling cancer, Randy passed away following complications from pneumonia.

Randy is survived by his mother, Maryann Kasik of Columbus; sister, Deanna (Craig) Keller of Gretna; brothers, Bryan (Teri Pickhinke) Kasik of Richland and Matt (Lisa) Kasik of Lincoln; nieces and nephews, Austin (Audra Keehn) Keller, Zach (Cami) Keller, Christian (Allison Stanton) Keller, Karen (Gerardo Marino) Kasik, Kody (Shantelle) Kasik, Paige (Susannah) Kasik-Meng, Leighton Kasik, and Ashlynn Kasik; and great-nieces and great-nephews, Trenton (Brittney) Vanicek, Laylani Kasik, Aiden Marino, Everett Marino, Kimber Kasik, Aubree Kasik, and Journee Rose Vanicek.

Randy is also survived by his aunts and uncles, Carol Papousek, Allyn and Karen Papousek, Joan Kasik, Lawrence Kasik, Carolyn Brichacek, Fr. Gerald Kasik, and Kenneth Kasik, as well as numerous cousins.

Randy was preceded in death by his father, Robert Kasik; grandparents, Emil and Delores Papousek, Emil and Catherine Kasik and; aunts and uncles, Marvin and Carolyn Korecky, Jim Papousek, Emil Kasik Jr., Ed and Shirley Wagner, Marilyn Kasik, Marvin and Joyce Kasik, and Jane Kasik; and cousins Gary Wagner and Mark Kasik.

Randy also held a special place in his heart for two young family members who passed away before him, Khloe Papousek and Eli Ebel.