Craig "Pat" Sides, age 72, passed away at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, NE on April 4, 2026.

Pat was born May 6, 1953, in McCook, NE to Eldon and Joan Sides. He attended School at Bartley, NE from Kindergarten through 10th grade, and then attended Republican Valley High School at Indianola his 11 and 12th grade. He graduated with the class of 1971.

Pat was employed by the BNSF Railroad for 35 and a half years. He started his career June 26, 1978, becoming a laborer on the track department to a foreman to the xtra gang to mechanic operator to track inspector. Pat traveled in his career to Iowa, Wyoming, South Dakota, Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska. He was known as “Papa Smurf” or “CP - Cutie Pie” to his coworkers. He retired in May of 2013.

After retirement Pat could be found helping others with projects and in his garage. He built his forge, and began his railroad spike knives and hatchets, and his horseshoe art - becoming Lazyday Creations. He gave railroad retirees a railroad spike knife with their dates of service from the BSNF railroad.

Pat (known as Trog) met his best friend for life, Janice Fimple, on main street in Indianola, NE. They were married on June 4, 1977, and made their home in Bartley. The love they shared was amazing. He was the best husband to Janice, he surprised her, spoiled her and was always supporting her. Pat and Janice were blessed with two children, Bradley and Angela. He was also blessed with three granddaughters which the twins were born on his birthday. Pat was a supportive husband, father and grandfather.

Pat spent his life following his passions with a smile on his face and a laugh that was contagious. He approached every task with curiosity and a sense of fun. He loved sharing what he learned with anyone willing to listen, turning ordinary moments into adventures and bringing family and friends together. With his value of hard work, he tackled new challenges and gained valuable experiences. He brought humor, energy, and love of life, leaving a lasting impression on everyone he worked with along the way. A hard-working individual who had a deep love for family and with a selfless nature and would go out of his way to help others; he possessed a tenacious and stubborn spirit which he passed on to his family.

His motivation and dedication were unmatched, and he was always willing to put in the extra effort to build something from nothing. He enjoyed life and never met a stranger. Pat had few regrets as he lived life to the fullest always did the best he could to be productive and understood the next is up to God.

He was a man of honor, dignity, and had a pillar of strength for his family and provided them with strong value and work ethic, traditions, young at heart and lover of life.

Pat is preceded in death by his father, Eldon Sides; son, Bradley Sides in 2025; maternal grandparents, John and Dorothy Kohmetscher; paternal grandparents, Melvin and Pearl Sides; brother, Leslie Sides; brother-in-law, Monte Bloyd; and sister-in-law Maryann Fimple.

Those left to celebrate Pat’s life are his wife, Janice Sides of 48 years of Bartley, NE; daughter Angela Cook of Tecumseh, NE; daughter in law, Mary Ann Sides of Seward, NE; granddaughters Madison and McKenna, who were born on his birthday, and Bailee; mother Joan Sides of Indianola, NE; brother Mike (Marsha) Sides of Bartley, NE; sisters-in-law Bev Bloyd of Lincoln, NE and Tammy Sides of Bartley, NE; and numerous friends, nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Memorial contributions are suggested in Craig's name to be designated at a later date.

The family requests that you wear comfortable or casual clothes to the funeral service.