Merna, NE – Troy Safranek age 52, of Merna, NE passed away on January 29, 2026, at the Great Plains Health in North Platte, NE.

Funeral Services will be on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the Broken Bow Berean Bible Church in Broken Bow, NE. Luncheon after the service will be at the One Box Convention Center. A private burial will be held in the Merna Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Broken Bow Berean Bible Church for the Jeff & Tina Casteel Missionaries (that Troy personally supported). A visitation and time to greet the family will be held on Tuesday, February 3rd, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Broken Bow Berean Bible Church. Govier Brothers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Online words of remembrance or condolences may be left at www.govierbrothers.com

A gift from the Lord arrived in Broken Bow, Nebraska on January 26, 1974,

Troy Lynn Safranek was welcomed into the world by his parents Roger and Sharon Williams Safranek.

The family circle expanded in 1976 with the birth of Troy’s brother Brent.

Anselmo-Merna Public Schools provided Troy’s K-12 education, activities and lifelong friendships. He studied at Grace College of the Bible in Omaha, Nebraska and graduated in 1997 with an associate degree in agribusiness and farm management from Iowa Western Community College.

In order to fulfil a desire from early childhood to farm, a return was made to Merna, Nebraska, where farming a quarter of land leased during high school was resumed.

Being employed by J & K Pork for four years gave opportunities to develop new skills and knowledge of a farrow-to-finish hog operation.

The Thanksgiving Blizzard of 2005 was the initiation of employment at the Custer County Highway Department. Due to the weather and road conditions, Troy was unable to travel to his home requiring him to shelter at a motel in Broken Bow. When the storm subsided, Chris Jacobsen arrived at the motel to take Troy to assist with snow removal and the opening of roads. Road maintenance and flagging gave opportunities to meet travelers and local residents especially during the COVID shutdown when people from more populated areas were migrating to the “open” regions. Troy enjoyed his job and co-workers. His employment with the department spanned over twenty years and was working up to the last minute of his earthly life.

During the school year Troy could be found on Wednesday evenings involved working with the Broken Bow Berean Church youth ministries. He found fulfilment assisting where needed at the annual Dean Ostrander Ministry Youth Retreat, following his nephews & niece’ activities, reading books, being a part of his uncle and cousin’s race car pit crew and attending state and local schools’ sports events.

From an early age when it came time to travel, Troy was quick to pack a suitcase. He visited several states, was involved in study trips to Israel, served on short term mission work in Suriname and Guam, and was able to visit and tour with former exchange students in Japan and Thailand.

January 29, 2026, Troy had no need to pack a suitcase for this trip. The job God had given him was complete, it was time to go to his eternal heavenly home and into the loving arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ.

As a six-year-old, his dad showed him from the Bible that he was a sinner and needed a Savior. On August 14, 1980, Troy understood his need and received Jesus Christ as his personal Savior.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV

We grieve; we miss Troy. We will say goodbye for a time, but those who are believers in Jesus Christ will be reunited with him again.

Troy would want you to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. If you have questions we would love to share from the Bible the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Predeceased grandparents are Detta Shaw Safranek, Virgil and Lila Brolyer Wiliams.

Survivors, Roger and Sharon Williams Safranek, Brent and Leslie Safranek, Kade and Tatum Safranek, Dylan and Hadlee Safranek Davis and son Kannon, and Cruze Safanek. Paternal grandfather Herman Safranek, Gerald and Karen Safranek, James and Joyce Safranek Mooberry, Susan Williams, Hal and Marian

Williams, Kevin and Martha Safranek, Craig and Kelli Safranek, Sarah Ramos, Jason Mooberry, Johanna Sumski and other family members and friends.