Edwin Arnold Zakrzewski was born on December 23, 1948, in O’Neill, Nebraska, to Thomas Zakrzewski Sr. and Helen (Yelli) Zakrzewski, as Nebraska entered the historic winter blizzards of 1948–49. One of seven children, Ed grew up in O’Neill and attended St. Mary’s High School.

Ed married Elizabeth Hickey, “Beth” on August 13, 1970. Together, they shared 56 years of marriage and raised three daughters. In 1977, Ed and Beth moved to Minnesota, where Ed purchased land, raised hogs, farmed, and spent some time working in the forest. They returned to O’Neill in 1980. Ed then returned to the family business, Zak’s Transfer, and eventually purchased his own truck and started Ed Zak Trucking.

Trucking became Ed’s lifelong career as he hauled livestock, dry goods and a mobile MRI unit to rural hospitals over the years. As an owner-operator, he logged over two million miles. He retired in 2010 and enjoyed spending time with family and friends, fishing, gardening and lawn work, wood working and taking care of his “not my cats” cats.

Ed is survived by his wife, Beth; daughters, Amanda (Shawn) Aten, Stephanie (Tim) Grubb, and Gloria (Todd) Keck; and grandchildren, Zakary (Zoe), Noah (Hannah), Dillon, Lilleah, Parker, and Ani.

He is also survived by his siblings Gary, Patricia (Roy) Peterson, sister-in-law Sarah, Sylvia (Greg) Frear, and Donald, along with numerous extended family members and friends.

Ed is preceded in death by his parents and siblings Thomas Jr. and Ronald.

Visitation will be Friday, October 2nd from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with family present from 5:00 PM- 7:00 PM at Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte. Services will be at Carpenter Memorial Chapel on Saturday, October 3rd at 10:00 AM.