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A Douglas County judge denied bond for 36-year-old Martin Zak, the man accused of killing his father, Deacon John Zak.READ MORE: Judge denies bond for 36-year-old man accused of killing his father, a deacon at an Omaha churchKevin and Cindy Engelkamp met John and Mary Zak and their 13 children through the St. Peter Catholic Church community.“He gave every day to other people,” Kevin Engelkamp said. “That was really important to him. I mean, that’s what a deacon does. But he went above and beyond.”Cindy Engelkamp said the Zak family’s generosity was clear regardless of their circumstances.“No matter how small their house was or how much money they had, that didn’t matter,” she said.Deacon Zak baptized all seven of the Engelkamps’ children.“Now those kids are having kids, and he’s baptized our grandkids,” Cindy said. “I don’t know how we’re going to do it without him.”Kevin said Zak left such an impact on the community, expecting a large turnout for his vigil.“It’ll be standing room only,” he said. “And that’s a big church — holds 850 people. So it’s going to be a crowd.”The couple said they were in shock when they heard the news.“It’s unbelievable that this happened,” Cindy Engelkamp said.They said they were aware of Martin Zak’s mental health struggles.“Mary and John were trying to be very careful and set boundaries, but still loved him. He was their son and wanted to help him,” she said. “I didn’t think he would go that far, but the kids were concerned for the parents’ safety before this happened.”The Engelkamps said John Zak and Mary were known for helping others.“They were adopting handicapped kids, too. I mean, kids nobody wanted,” Kevin said.“They were on call for foster care and always said yes,” Cindy said. The church where Zak served as a deacon for more than 25 years will honor him this week. A vigil is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Saint Peter Catholic Church on South 28th Street.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
A Douglas County judge denied bond for 36-year-old Martin Zak, the man accused of killing his father, Deacon John Zak.
READ MORE: Judge denies bond for 36-year-old man accused of killing his father, a deacon at an Omaha church
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Kevin and Cindy Engelkamp met John and Mary Zak and their 13 children through the St. Peter Catholic Church community.
“He gave every day to other people,” Kevin Engelkamp said. “That was really important to him. I mean, that’s what a deacon does. But he went above and beyond.”
Cindy Engelkamp said the Zak family’s generosity was clear regardless of their circumstances.
“No matter how small their house was or how much money they had, that didn’t matter,” she said.
Deacon Zak baptized all seven of the Engelkamps’ children.
“Now those kids are having kids, and he’s baptized our grandkids,” Cindy said. “I don’t know how we’re going to do it without him.”
Kevin said Zak left such an impact on the community, expecting a large turnout for his vigil.
“It’ll be standing room only,” he said. “And that’s a big church — holds 850 people. So it’s going to be a crowd.”
The couple said they were in shock when they heard the news.
“It’s unbelievable that this happened,” Cindy Engelkamp said.
They said they were aware of Martin Zak’s mental health struggles.
“Mary and John were trying to be very careful and set boundaries, but still loved him. He was their son and wanted to help him,” she said. “I didn’t think he would go that far, but the kids were concerned for the parents’ safety before this happened.”
The Engelkamps said John Zak and Mary were known for helping others.
“They were adopting handicapped kids, too. I mean, kids nobody wanted,” Kevin said.
“They were on call for foster care and always said yes,” Cindy said.
The church where Zak served as a deacon for more than 25 years will honor him this week. A vigil is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Saint Peter Catholic Church on South 28th Street.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
