A Memorial Mass for Julian "Butch" Sojka, Jr., age 74, of Ewing, NE will be 10:30 am Friday, September 10, 2021 at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Ewing, NE. Inurnment will follow at the St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery in Ewing. Rev. John Norman will officiate. Visitation will be 5-7 Thursday, September 9, 2021 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill. Butch passed away Friday, September 3, 2021 at his home in Ewing. Memorials may be given to the family for future designation. Arrangements are entrusted to Biglin's Mortuary of O'Neill.

Julian Anton Sojka, Jr. was born in Neligh, Nebraska on November 23, 1946 to Julian L. and Dorothy (Shavlik) Sojka. He graduated from Ewing High School. On April 24, 1976 Butch was united in marriage to his lifelong bride Helen Jane Anson of Ewing, Nebraska. The couple lived in Ewing since that date and had two daughters: Theresa Josephine and Emily Rose.

Butch attended mechanic school in Omaha after high school and worked as a mechanic for several years. In 1984, Butch and Jane purchased the O'Neill Sport and Hobby Shop in O'Neill Nebraska, renaming it O'Neill Sport and Gift. They worked there together for 27 years; the entire time remaining residents of Ewing. The couple served for 48 years on the Ewing Volunteer Fire Department as well as were members of the St. Peter's Catholic Church.

After the sale of O'Neill Sport and Gift, Butch became a hunting guide for Gobble n Grunt Outfitters and later Prairie King Ranch until his passing. As a hunting guide for over 20 years, he impacted hundreds of lives around the United States and even other countries.

Butch never drew attention to himself in a crowd, rather he offered amazing comradery, companionship, loyalty and wisdom in one-on-one situations. In the outdoors, he had the ability to add value to lives in but a single outing. He delighted in showing his hunting clients the wonders of Nebraska. Rarely did a client leave empty-handed. Never did a client leave without learning something. Most of the time they left as friends. And this pleased Butch very much.

He leaves yet on this earth his wife, Helen Jane Sojka-Anson of Ewing, NE; children, Theresa J. Rinehart and Emily R. Sladek; grandsons, Gabriel Rinehart and Devin Rinehart; and one great-grandson Jantzen Rinehart all of Hamilton, MT. He also leaves many relatives and friends that will very much miss his inherent ability to add value to life.

Butch was preceded in death by his parents, Julian Louis and Dorothy Opal (Shavlik) Sojka, and grandparents, Louis and Stephonia Sojka, and Anton and Anna Shavlik.