Joshua J. Kostelecky, 26, formerly of Dickinson died Saturday, March 17, 2007 at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Josh’s funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 24, 2007 at the Evangelical Bible Church, 2891 5th Ave. West, Dickinson with Pastor Tim Privratsky officiating. Interment will take place at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. There will be a gathering of friends and family for a time of sharing at 7 p.m., Friday at Ladbury Funeral Service.
Joshua James Kostelecky was born August 27, 1980 in Dickinson the son of Doug and Bonnie (Culver) Kostelecky. He graduated from Dickinson High School in 1999, with highest honors. He then attended Jamestown College, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and graduated from NDSU in May 2005 with an Electrical Engineering Degree. During high school he was a member of the National Honor Society and participated in Cross Country and Track; he had contributed to the track team’s three consecutive Class A State titles with his high jump, long jump and triple jump abilities.
Josh was a proud employee of Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids, IA, for the past two years. He worked as a test engineer on the ATE (Automatic Test Equipment) Test Solutions for the WRAU (Weather Radar Antenna Unit) which is part of the CISS (Configurable Integrated Surveillance System) on the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner airplane. He was a member of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical &Electronic Engineers) Organization.
Josh had many interests and hobbies. He had a phenomenal desire to learn and expand his mind. Josh loved reading Ancient History, theoretical physics, science fiction, and Astronomy. Some of his favorite authors include Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking. He also enjoyed listening to symphonic heavy metal, woodworking, biking, going to movies, playing video games, and watching cartoons. These cartoons consist of Family Guy, The Simpsons, and Metalocalypse. He loved chatting on line with his many friends. Josh’s heroes include both grandfathers and his “fantastic” electromagnetics professor, Dr. Robert Nelson.
Josh loved trying new beer. He did not drink the usual beer, but rather the stout lagers, and ales. He kept an extensive beer diary describing the beers’ many characteristics. He also rated them to his liking.
Josh is survived by his parents, Doug and Bonnie Kostelecky, Dickinson; his sister, Heather (fiancé, TJ Tooz) Kostelecky, Dickinson; grandparents, MaryAnn Culver and Mary and Eddie Kostelecky; aunts and uncles, Debbie Kostelecky, Bobbi Kostelecky, Suzie (Gary) Bren, Susan Tooley, Dale (Bonnie) Culver, Gae (Sidney) Culver, Bruce Culver, David (Paula) Culver, Betsy (Henry) Burgin, and Ned (Kim) Culver; and numerous cousins and special friends. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, C.Ray Culver, and his uncle, Donald Tooley.
Josh had a wonderful sense of humor, wit, and a heart full of compassion. With these attributes, he touched many lives in his own special way.
In lieu of flowers there will be a memorial established in memory of Josh.
