John F. Feilen

John F. Feilen was born on October 24, 1968 in Nebraska City, NE the son of John F. and JoAnn (Arnberger) Feilen. Following a courageous battle against Covid-19, he entered eternal life on July 4, 2020 in Rush Medical Center in Chicago.

John grew up on the family farm and attended school at rural Otoe County District No. 52. He then went on to Nemaha Valley High School in Cook, NE, completing his education at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.

John’s childhood dream was to “see the world on somebody else’s dime” so upon graduation he moved to Dallas, TX where he worked in the retail industry for 5 years. While in Dallas, he decided to change his career to technology.

After a move to Kansas City, MO, John worked at Sprint Corporation as an IT project manager for the next 5 years.

After the death of John’s dad in 2000, his desire to see the world took him to Chicago where he spent the remaining years of his life. During those years, his work as an independent IT consultant afforded him the opportunity to create his own company allowing him to work for several different clients including companies in France and England.

As the years went by, John met his partner, and best friend, Steve Lukasik. Through his work and Steve’s career with United Airlines, John was able to achieve his dream to see the world. He traveled in at least 14 foreign countries as well as most of the United States. He and Steve loved to spend an occasional weekend in New York taking in a Broadway show or two, a nice restaurant, and exploring the city.

One of John’s hobbies was cooking. He and Steve often entertained with dinners for their friends, especially during the Christmas holidays, having their “orphan” friends who lived too far away to be home for Christmas. John lived life to the fullest on his own terms, definitely leaving his footprints on this earth.

Those left to cherish his memory and love him forever are mom, JoAnn; partner Steve; Steve’s parents Joe and Mary Lukasik of Lombard, IL; John’s “Chicago Mom” Cindy Williams of Woodridge, IL; uncle and aunt Bob and Evelyn Arnberger of Abilene, KS, as well as many cousins and many many friends.

John was predeceased by his dad on September 9, 2000; grandparents Henry and Rosa Feilen, and Frank and Josephine Arnberger, as well as uncles, aunts, and cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Joseph’s Church near Paul on Monday, July 27, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. with Father Thomas Bush and Father Michael Ventre officiating. A private family inurnment of ashes will be held at Wyuka Cemetery.  The service will be live streamed on Gude Funeral Homes Facebook page.

As the sun sets on John’s life, we his earthly family will be forever grateful to God for the 51 wonderful years we shared with John.

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