Edward Daniel Sabatka was born December 17th, 1949, to Bernard and Frances (Horinek) Sabatka in Colby, Kan. Ed grew up and worked on his grandfather's farm in northwestern Rawlins County, Kan. As a young child and throughout adulthood, Ed was always connected to agriculture and found fulfillment in agricultural life. Ed attended McDonald Grade School and graduated the eighth grade in 1963.  Ed then attended high school at the Holy Cross Abbey School in Canyon City, Colo. beginning in 1963 then graduating in 1967.  The Abbey was an all-boys preparatory school where Ed formed friendships that he would maintain throughout his entire life. Upon graduating from the Abbey, Ed attended Kansas State University where he graduated in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.

Following graduation from K-State, he was a manager for MoorMan's Feed Company and eventually went into his own private feedlot nutritionist business, serving producers and locations across multiple states.  Ed married Anita Arnold on August 27, 1983 at Colby, Kan. where they made a home until moving to Broken Bow, Neb. in 1987. While in Broken Bow, Ed worked with livestock producers and continued growing his consulting business. On the side he enjoyed barbecue as a hobby and that hobby eventually turned into a business.  In 1994, Uncle Ed's BBQ was started as a catering business and soon after, Ed opened his first restaurant in Broken Bow. The business was proudly named by his 4-year-old nieces. Looking to expand to a larger market, Ed relocated the business to Grand Island in 2005. Through the years Ed and his restaurant provided service to countless customers, catering weddings, farm and ranch sales, special events, and serving concessions at the Nebraska State Fair.  Ed's restaurant, a Certified Angus Beef (CAB) LLC licensee, was awarded the 2009 Independent Restaurant National Beef Backer Award, which Ed proudly stated was a "dream come true" and was further quoted in local press saying, "This is a passionate business, this isn't a paycheck business. If you're in it for a paycheck, you're in the wrong business. This is built on passion and you want to take care of your customers." He explored all avenues of advertising and even had a live cooking radio show to serve as a way to promote high-quality beef and his CAB products. He was head chef in his restaurant, working on the line every night, having learned not from culinary school but from cooking books and other chefs with whom he worked. He and Anita made the restaurant a success together, while she ran the front of the house, trained waitresses and handled office work.

No matter where Ed resided, he was very involved in his community and the local church.  He was a life member of the Broken Bow Knights of Columbus Council #2388.  Ed served as Grand Knight of the Broken Bow council and was honored as a Knight of the Year.  Ed was currently a member of the Grand Island Knights of Columbus Council #1159.  Ed was a member of the Nebraska Restaurant Association where he served as Vice-President.  He was a member of St. Mary's Cathedral.  Though Ed had multiple health problems in his later years, he always put his trust in the Lord.

Survivors of his immediate family include brothers, Darrell Sabatka (Cathy) of Colorado; Gilbert Sabatka of Manhattan, Kansas; and sister, Geraldine Downing of Kearney, Nebraska along with multiple nieces and nephews. Ed is also survived by Goddaughter, Anna Hanquist.  Also left to mourn his absence is his feline companion, Junior, whose well-being has been entrusted to Ed and Anita's dear and long-time friend, Trish.  Ed was preceded in death by his father, Bernard, his mother, Frances, and his wife, Anita.

Ed Sabatka died Monday, June 10, 2024, at Grand Island Regional Medical Center.  He was 74 years of age.  Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Cathedral, 112 S Cedar Street, Grand Island.  The Rev. Jorge Canela will be the celebrant. Inurnment will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Grand Island.  Visitation will be Wednesday, June 19, 2024, from 5 – 7 p.m. at Curran Funeral Chapel in Grand Island with a vigil service at 7 p.m.  In lieu of flowers a memorial will be established in Ed's name at a later date.  Online condolences may be given at http://www.curranfuneralchapel.com  under Ed's obituary.