Keith L. Willets of Elwood passed away Thursday, January 9, 2020 at Kearney Regional Hospital at the age of 99. Keith was born Dec 11, 1920 on the Levine Farm on turkey creek south of Smithfield, Ne.
Keith was the oldest of the four children of Carl and Eleanora (Nora Fastenau Willets). He graduated from Lexington High School with the class of 1938.
He worked as a farm hand for the Bossungs near Johnson Lake. It was at this time he met Ruth Kirwan. Keith boarded at Bossung’s and Ruth was teaching at the Antelope School and got room and board from Bossung’s as part of her pay. They were married on July 2, 1944 at the home of her mother, Flossie Kirwan, in Elwood.
Keith was Baptized earlier that morning at the Methodist Church in Elwood. On July 3 they boarded the train in Lexington and moved to Clarksville, TN. Keith was stationed at Camp Campbell, KY. At the end of his basic training Ruth moved back to Nebraska to resume teaching and Keith (as Ruth often joked) went to Europe for the Honeymoon. (He would reply to this “it wasn’t much of a honeymoon” during WWII).
To this union were born 5 children Sandra (David Nienkamp) of Edgar, NE, Patricia Luck of Lexington, NE, John (Connie Hall) of Cozad, Kenneth Willets, and William Willets of Elwood.
Keith was preceded in death by His Parents Carl and Nora, his 3 sisters Juanita Bourbon, Lexington, Maxine (Roger) Pegelow of Two Harbors, MN and Naomi (Donald) Teetor of San Antonio, TX. His son Kenneth of Cozad, grandchildren Sherry & Edward Willets, 3 brothers in law, 3 sisters in law and Ruth’s parents.
He is survived by his daughters Sandra and Patricia, his sons John and William and their families. And numerous Nieces and nephews as well as many friends.
Memorials are suggested to the family in his name for later designation. Online condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com.
Services will be held Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at Parkview Baptist Church in Lexington with Pastor John Shields officiating. Burial will follow at Elwood Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. with family present from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Berryman Funeral Home.
- Date Posted: 2015-10-20
- Maiden Name: Linn
Doris Marjorie Linn, 94, of Lexington died Tuesday, October 20, 2015, at Plum Creek Healthcare Community in Lexington.
Funeral Services will be held Monday, Oct. 26, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at the Reynolds-Love Chapel in Lexington with the Rev. Chuck Olson officiating.
Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington.
Visitation will be held Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015, from 2-4 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Chapel in Lexington.
Doris was born Nov. 4, 1920, near Cozad, to John Franklin and Stella Cora (Watkins) Linn. She spent her entire life in the Lexington area. Doris was a 1938 graduate of Lexington High School.
She was united in marriage to Vernon Jolliffe on Nov. 16, 1938. Three children were born to this marriage, Kathleen, Kenneth, and Stanley. She was then married to Alvie Johnson on April 7, 1964. She welcomed his children, Barbara, Darrell, Shirley, and Dale to the family. She would later develop a special friendship with Dutch Anthony. This relationship lasted until Dutch’s death.
Doris, through her lifetime, was a member of the Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church, and New Life Assembly Church in Kearney. She ran the Sale Barn Café for years, volunteered to deliver Meals-on-Wheels, and was instrumental in starting the clothing operation in Elm Creek. Near and dear to her heart was belonging to the Lung support group and always was an advocate for organ donation.
She loved animals, gardening, and visiting with family and friends. She had a wit like no other, and a sense of humor and smile that could make anybody feel comfortable. She was one of a kind. Rest in peace dear Doris.
Survivors include two sons, Ken (Gladys) Jolliffe of Malcolm, and Stan (Anna) Jolliffe of Cozad; stepchildren; Barb (Arnie) Goracke of Sterling, Shirley Watkins of Castle Rock, Wash., and, Dale (Cindy) Johnson of Sisters, Oregon; one step-daughter-in-law, Pat Johnson of Oregon; eight grandchildren, many step-grandchildren, as well as many great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and two great-great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Doris was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Kathleen Jacobson; grandson, Jody Harwood; three brothers, Virgil, Laverne and Dean Linn; and one sister, Edith Blackman; step-son, Darrell Johnson; and, step-granddaughter, Amy McCracken.
Memorials are suggested to the Lexington Volunteer Fire Department.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is assisting the family with arrangements.
Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.
- Date Posted: 2016-03-01
- Maiden Name: Rickertsen
Frida Henrietta (Rickertsen) Cline, 95, of Newton, Kan., formerly of Gothenburg, died March 1, 2016, at Asbury Park in Newton, Kan.
She was a 1938 graduate of Lexington High School.
Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Sunday, March 6, 2016, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm. with the family present from 2:00-4:00. Services will be held at Banner United Methodist Church, March 7, 2016, at 10:00 am with Rev. Janie Freeman officiating. Interment will follow in the Peckham Cemetery, Gothenburg.
Memorials may be given to the Banner United Methodist Church Banner Road, Gothenburg, NE 69138. To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.
- Date Posted: 2016-11-13
- Maiden Name: McFarren
Marjorie M. Coufal, 95, of Lexington, Nebraska, died Sunday, November 13, 2016, at Lexington Regional Health Center.
Marge was born May 22, 1921, at Lexington, Nebraska, to Glenn T. and Frances (Parker) McFarren. She graduated from Lexington High School in 1938, and attended the University of Nebraska.
Prior to her marriage, she was employed at the Dawson County Herald newspaper, and the Northwestern Bell Telephone Company. On December 10, 1942, at Lexington, Nebraska, she married Irvin L. Coufal of Overton, a Sgt. in the Army Air Corps, at the United Methodist Church in Lexington.
Upon the couple’s return to Lexington following WWII, she was employed as a bookkeeper at the Rosenberg Company for 16 years and then at Farmer’s State Bank for 24 years until her retirement in 1986.
She was a lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church, a past of president of Chapter AN P.E.O., and a 70+ year member of the Dawson Chapter #33 O.E.S.
Marge is survived by nieces; Jo (Dale) Sherman of Lexington, Nebraska, Patty (Roger) Fenstermacher of Cozad, Nebraska; nephew, Glenn (Suzie) McFarren of San Jose, California; step-nieces, Kay (Jack) Lhotak of Lexington, Nebraska, Sally (Zafar) Israeli of Stone Mountain, Georgia, Sandra (Fred) Fisk of San Anselmo, California, Jennifer (Zig) Svalbe of Boronia, Vic. Australia, Candace (Gordon) McKill of Surrey, B.C. Canada, and, Christi (Mike) Ensch of Alexandria.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Irv, in 2006; her parents; brother, Richard McFarren; stepfather, James C. Smith; stepbrother, Wayne J. Smith; two stepsisters, Jean Wolfert and Joyce Hanway; and two step-nephews, Derek Hanway and Henry Wolfert; as well as, brother-in-law, Ivan Coufal.
Graveside Services will be held Wednesday, November 16, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. at Greenwood Cemetery in Lexington with Reverend Anne Gahn officiating.
There will be no visitation.
Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church, the Lexington Volunteer Fire Department, or the Donor’s Choice.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be in charge of arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.
- Maiden Name: Edeal
Retha Mae Wycoff, 96, passed away June 2, 2018, at Linden Court in North Platte, Nebraska.
She was born March 31, 1922, to Alvin Silvester Edeal and Edna Mae (Cole) Edeal in the rural Fairhaven area northwest of Overton, Nebraska, and grew up on a family farm. She attended rural school at Fairhaven (Dawson County District #21) and after graduation from Lexington High School continued her education at the University of Nebraska College of Agriculture earning her bachelor’s degree in Home Economics in 1942. The following year, she taught Home Economics at Gothenburg, Nebraska.
On June 12, 1943, she married Keith Hamlin Wycoff in Seattle, Washington, where the newlyweds spent the summer before settling in Chicago. Retha was employed at Marshall Field’s in children’s wear sales before being promoted to the personnel office.
The next year, while her husband was at sea, she taught in Hay Springs, Nebraska. In 1945 Retha and Keith settled in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and started a family. They were active in the Northampton Methodist Church and made friendships which endured a lifetime.
From 1949 to 1963 the family lived near Overton, Nebraska. Retha was a homemaker and busy mother as her family eventually grew to three sons and two daughters. Retha designed her next house and personally did all the floorplan and elevation drawings. It was built in Lexington, Nebraska, and the family moved there in 1963 where she continued to live until age 89.
Retha loved dancing and was tap dancing by age 7 on the Fox Theater stage in North Platte. At her 80th birthday party she astonished her family by demonstrating the splits and straight-leg high kicks. She excelled academically in college with awards including a Danforth summer study scholarship for outstanding young women.
Her interests in later life included music, gardening and writing. She served many years as a Sunday School teacher and was a devoted member and past President of the Nebraska Conference of United Methodist Women. Retha had a keen interest in fostering international understanding and had many opportunities for travel. She sometimes accompanied her husband on international business trips. Together they visited mission or service organizations and former international exchange students. They served as delegates to international Methodist Conferences. She took pride in five children with adult careers in the arts or in medicine and in their families. She was an example to all of generosity and kindness.
Retha was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin and Edna Edeal, brother, Dean Edeal, her husband Keith H. Wycoff, sister-in-law, Ruby (Wycoff) Crandall, and niece Karen (Edeal) Kander.
Survivors include sons Delane (Dorothy) Wycoff, Kevin (Paige) Wycoff, Timothy Wycoff (Susan West) and daughters Janine Wycoff, Valerie Wycoff (James Lovell-Smith), exchange daughter, Naoko (Takemoto) Okamoto, grandchildren Jason Wycoff, Kathryn Wycoff Gross, K. Tyler Wycoff, Reid Wycoff, Cole Wycoff, Isaac Wycoff, Olivia Wycoff, Timothy Lovell-Smith and Jasmine Lovell-Smith, plus great grandchildren, step-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Cremation was chosen. Retha’s life will be honored on August 15, 2018, with a 10:00 a.m. Memorial Service at the First United Methodist Church in Lexington with Pastor Anne Gahn, officiating.
Her committal service will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the church or The Dawson County Historical Society and Museum or donor’s choice.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com
- Date Posted: 2018-05-15
George Piester, 98, of Minden passed away on Friday, May 11, 2018 at Bethany Home in Minden. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am. on Thursday, May 17, 2018 at the Westminster United Presbyterian Church in Minden with the Rev. Daniel Davis officiating. Interment will be held following services at the Minden Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service times at the church.George Piester, 98, of Minden passed away on Friday, May 11, 2018 at Bethany Home in Minden. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am. on Thursday, May 17, 2018 at the Westminster United Presbyterian Church in Minden with the Rev. Daniel Davis officiating. Interment will be held following services at the Minden Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service times at the church.
George was born May 30, 1919 to Jacob and Katherine Elizabeth Piester in Nisland, South Dakota. George was the 7th of 9 children. His family farmed in South Dakota until 1925, when they moved to Gering, Nebraska. They farmed there until moving to Lexington, Nebraska in 1929.
George attended school in Dawson County and graduated from Lexington High School in 1938. In July of 1939 he married Lois A. Lemmon of Cozad, Nebraska. They made their home in Lincoln, Nebraska. To this union three sons were born: Thomas, Kent, and David. They were married forty years until her death in 1979. George was employed by Gooch Mill & Elevator Co. in Lincoln until late 1944. One of his memories of working at Gooch was that on June 6, 1944, “D-Day”, George’s boss Lloyd Graham, handed George a cable and told him to climb the pole on top of the elevator to secure the cable so they could fly the American flag. Back then, if your boss asked you to do something, you did it without question. George climbed to the top of the pole, hanging by one hand 200 feet above the ground and secured the cable. When told about it, his wife, Lois, questioned his sanity.
In 1944, George and his family moved to Hemingford, Nebraska. George became the manager of the Hagemeister Elevator for over a year. In 1945 they lived for a short time in Seward, then moved to Minden in April, 1946. George and Lois purchased the F.F. Rogers Grain Elevator in Minden in March, 1946. Both worked together to run the business, which was the beginning of Piester Grain Company, Inc. The business grew and George introduced several farm services to Kearney County. He became a livestock feed dealer; he introduced the custom mixing and spreading of dry fertilizer; and he began selling anhydrous ammonia in 1949, the fourth such dealer in Nebraska. Lois was the bookkeeper for the business in its early years, and continued as secretary of the corporation until her death. Their sons served as the board of directors.
George started Piester Manufacturing Company in 1963. He was awarded patents from the United States Patent Office for his N-P-K dry fertilizer spreader and for his invention of tops for rail hopper cars so they could be used to haul grain, both in 1963. In addition to the fertilizer spreaders, the manufacturing company produced grain augers, throwers, and tenders; one auger was sold to a buyer in Turkey. George ran the manufacturing company for thirty years.
George was also active in the Minden community. He served as president of the Chamber of Commerce, and elder in both the First and the Westminster Presbyterian Churches, and a member of the volunteer fire department for 27 years. He was a member of the Minden School Board for 8 ½ years, and was a member of the Rotary Club since 1948. He was elected Mayor of Minden in 1994, and served two terms, during which he was instrumental in establishing what is now known as West Minden Estates, a source of great pride for him.
George also served as a member of the Nebraska Fertilizer and Chemical Board for six years, serving as president for one year, and as a member of the National Anhydrous Ammonia Board for three years.
George was an avid golfer and sports enthusiast. When their sons were in high school, George and Lois frequently took the coaches’ wives to basketball and football games. He loyally followed the Whippets athletic contests. He also attended most University of Nebraska home football games for over fifty years.
George married LaVada Layton Piester in 1980. They shared fourteen years of marriage until her death following a courageous battle with cancer.George loved his life, and said that while he made a good living, he never got rich.
George is survived by: Son Kent and wife Janet of Houston, Texas; son David and wife Cindy of Lincoln, sisters Elizabeth Piester of Denver, Colorado; and Lydia Hubach of Fremont, California; step-daughters Diana Felzein of Little Rock, Arkansas, Marcy and husband Don Cochran of Loveland, Colorado, Deb and husband Dick Schwenka of Minden, and Candy and husband Jack Kimple of Minden; nine grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, one great, great grandchild; 10 step grandchildren, 12 step great grandchildren, and many nephews and nieces, and friends.
George was preceded in death by: wife Lois, wife LaVada, son Tom, brothers Jacob, Henry, and Fred; sisters Eva Greenwalt, Katherine Bauer Mathiason, and Mary Uecker, and brothers-in-law Alex Greenwalt, Cecil Bauer, Jerry Uecker, and George Hubach.I
n lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Minden Opera House Endowment Fund c/o Minden Exchange Bank, P.O. Box 179, Minden , NE 68959.Tributes of memory can be shared with the family at craigfunerals.comCraig Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
- Date Posted: 1981-01-26
Dale Buck Born March 12, 1920 in St. Edward, NE
Died January 26, 1981 in Ft. Collins, CO (received September 2011 from grandson)
- Date Posted: 2008-07-13
- Maiden Name: Piester
Mary Piester Uecker passed away on June 13, 2008.
- Date Posted: 2012-06-06
Robert "Bob" Anthony, age 91 of Lexington, died June 6, 2012 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.
Charles Robert Anthony was born May 10, 1921 at Lexington, Nebraska to Luther Francis and Elizabeth Mary (Peters) Anthony, the youngest of 5 children. His first nine years of school were at District North 22, and he went on to graduate from Lexington High School in 1938. Bob attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln for a year, where he received honors in Livestock Judging.
Subsequent to his schooling, Bob returned home before entering the U.S. Army in 1942. Bob faithfully served his country as a member of the 242nd Field Artillery Battalion during WWII as a Machine Gun and Ammunition Sergeant. Bob was one of the 23,000 troops that comprised the invasion force on Utah Beach, which was the westernmost landing point during the Battle of Normandy. Bob and his Battalion were in combat for 240 straight days, until he was wounded on October 1st during the Battle of the Foret de Parroy. After 15 months in military hospitals, Bob was honorably discharged in 1945, and returned home to farm with his father.
On September 10, 1950, Bob married Mary Jane Oldfather, and their union was blessed with 3 children, Janet Marie, Anna Louise and Timothy Charles.
They made their home on a farm northwest of Lexington, where they farmed and fed cattle.
Bob was an active member of his church and society. In 1979, he even served as the delegate from the Nebraska Central Platte Presbytery to the National General Assembly in San Diego. He often toiled for months trying to get supply ministers for the Buffalo Grove Presbyterian Church. He also enjoyed membership in the Lexington Rotary Club, the Dawson County Fair Board, the rural fireworks committee and many church boards. He rode with the Plum Creekers, and had served as a speaker at the National Longhorn Association Seminar at Austin, Texas. Aside from his family, cattle feeding and the people he dealt with were his love. Bob had many lifelong friends in the cattle industry that never had contracts for the business they conducted, as honesty was a binding element in his life and relationships.
In his later years Bob's health began to decline, but he continued to work every day as he could.
Bob loved his family, his life and his work; and all were good to him in return.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; and 3 brothers, Harold, Francis, and Roland "Dutch".
Survivors include his wife, Mary Jane Anthony of Lexington; 2 daughters, Janet Marie (David) Quitmeyer of Lexington, Anna Louise (Galen) Stehlik of Grand Island; son, Timothy Charles (Marita) Anthony of Lexington; 6 grandchildren, Katie (Slim) Reece of Harrison, Casey (Crystal) Quitmeyer of Lexington, Mitchell Stehlik and fiancée Erin VanOstrand of Grand Island, Antonia (Noe) Mendez of Grand Island, Betsey (Matt) Heidrich of Lincoln and Courtney Anthony of Lexington; sister, Hazel Anthony of Lincoln; 2 sisters-in-law, Lois Anthony & Dorothy Oldfather both of Lexington; and many other relatives and friends.
A memorial has been established in his memory. Condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. Memorial services will be on Monday, June 11, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Cozad with Pastors Doug Smith and Tess Hufford officiating. A private family inurnment will be held in the Hewitt Cemetery prior to the memorial service. There will be no visitation. Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad is in charge of arrangements.
- Date Posted: 2012-06-30
- Maiden Name: Teetor
Mary Evelyn Hultman, age 92, of North Platte, died June 30, 2012 at Centennial Park Retirement Center.
Graveside Services were 10 a.m. Thursday, July 5, 2012 at Fort McPherson National Cemetery with Chaplain Norval Holtmeier officiating. Visitation was Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.
She was born on Dec. 9, 1919 in Lexington, to Warren Franklin and Marium Neoma (Dicks) Teetor as the oldest of 13 children. Evelyn graduated from Lexington High School in 1938. After her graduation, she married Frank E. Hultman on Jan. 21, 1941. A daughter, Donna Dee, was born later that year. Evelyn was very active in volunteer work. She enjoyed cutting material for quilts and cutting out coupons. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Eagles Auxiliary.
Survivors include her husband, Frank Hultman of North Platte; five brothers, Mark (Marian) Teetor of Dallas, Texas, Vernon Teetor of Akron, Ohio, Glen (Judy) Teetor of Moore, Okla., Ronald (Linda) Teetor of Huber Springs, Ark., and Wayne (Louise) Teetor of Pt. Pleasant, W.Va.; two sisters, Beulah Nanney of Farmville, N.C., Patsy (Bill) Halouska of Cozad; sisters-in-law, Darlene Teetor of Lexington, Grace Teetor of Ft. Stockton, Texas; four grandchildren, Rodney Smallfoot, Jimmy Smallfoot, Nancy Angell and Tammy Smallfoot; numerous great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Donna Rosson in 1998; five brothers, Art (Ferne), Don (Neoma), Warren (Evelyn) and George and Robert Teetor; a sister-in-law, Lorraine and a brother-in-law, Sam Nanney.
A memorial has been established to the North Platte Senior Center and online condolences can be made at www.adamsswanson.com.
Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
- Date Posted: 2012-08-11
Delbert William Carroll, 92, of Lexington, Nebraska, passed away Saturday, August 11, 2012, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. He was born June 8, 1920, in Smithfield, Nebraska to Charles Dennis and Elizabeth Clara (Melosh) Carroll.
Delbert moved with his family to rural Lexington as a young boy and then into town when he was in the 5th grade. He was a 1938, graduate of Lexington High School. Delbert was united in marriage to Doris Cryderman on May 25, 1948, at Lexington. Two daughters were blessed to this marriage; Peggy Ann and Christine Louise.
Delbert spent his entire career building homes in the Lexington area until his retirement, when he did some farming and working cattle.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church and the Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed playing cards and watching his beloved Nebraska Cornhusker football team. His family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his greatest joys.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years: Doris Carroll of Lexington, Nebraska; Two daughters: Peggy (David) Hanna of Lexington, Nebraska, Christine Carroll of Kearney, Nebraska; Two grandsons: Robb (Erin) Hanna and Greg (Brooke) Hanna of Lexington, Nebraska, Three great-grandchildren: Eva & Jonas Martin and Jack Hanna all of Lexington, Nebraska; Two sisters: Marge (Jim) Burnett of Lexington, Nebraska, Carolyn (Dick) Dorwart of Reedsport, Oregon; Nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Delbert was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Geraldine Berryman and brother, Jean Carroll.
Funeral Services will be Wednesday, August 15, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Lexington with Reverend Tess Hufford officiating. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington. Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 14, 2012, from 5-7 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington. Memorials are suggested to the Donor's Choice. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Please forward online condolences to the family through: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.
- Date Posted: 2012-08-10
Gerhart A. Kopf, 92, of Fulton, Ill., died Friday, Aug. 10, 2012, at University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City, Iowa.
A memorial service will be held in the coming weeks. Cremation rites have been accorded. He will be buried in Nebraska.
Gerhart A. Kopf was born at home in Eddyville, Dec. 29, 1919 the oldest of six children of Niels and Lydia Struempler Kopf.
He married Alice L. Schmidt on July 7, 1941; she survives. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with a large family gathering in 2011.
Gerry was raised on a homestead ranch in Dawson County. His grandfather, Nick Kopf, was known for cattle drives between the ranch and Texas. Only German was spoken in the household until Gerry was five years old, when the family took in a teacher boarder. He remembered riding home from a cold Christmas Eve service in his parents' one-horse sleigh, nestled at their feet with his brother under a buffalo skin robe. He and his siblings walked over one mile of roads and pastures to the one-room school through eighth grade, collecting dried cattle droppings on the way home to be used as heating fuel.
Gerry helped raise Hereford cattle and farmed with horses on the prairie sod ranch. He graduated from Lexington High School (class of 1938) and was active as a tackle on the football team, participated in operetta productions, and provided artwork for the yearbook. He developed his gift to play piano in his teens, preferring to learn new songs by ear rather than by reading sheet music. Gerry served as banquet pianist and spoke on "Change" including predictions for the future at the Classes of the "8s" Lexington High School Alumni Banquet June 2008. In his heart, his home remained the Nebraska prairies of his ancestors.
He attended University of Nebraska as possible architecture major for one semester, before returning to the ranch during the Great Depression. Gerry remained an ardent Nebraska Cornhusker fan throughout his long life.
He played piano just out of high school in a traveling swing band across the Midwest during the big band era.
He served as the army chaplain's assistant at Ft. Dodge, Iowa, during World War II, playing music for church services. He farmed near Eddyville 1941-1948. After one profitable year, he left farming to work with Steckley Hybrid Corn Co. in Lincoln and Grand Island, eventually serving as company sales manager. He relocated with his family to Fulton in 1955 in the same position where he also became involved with hybrid corn variety development at their Dewitt, Iowa, plant.
Upon sale of the company, he became sales manager of Drives, Inc., until 1981. In this position he traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and parts of Canada, through a period of major growth for the company.
In 1981, he established the Bald Eagle Nursery outside Fulton, where, building upon his knowledge of corn genetics and hybridization, he became respected as an authority on ornamental grasses, as well as chestnuts, hazelnuts, and hicans. He worked with nationally respected researchers on hicans (Abbott tree), helping to get Abbott tree seeds shared with the People's Republic of China in a horticultural exchange program.
Gerry loved to travel and throughout his life he would bring home plant specimens for local propagation. He was instrumental in developing the Twin Ponds Research Farm near Galena Territory in Illinois, specializing in the genetic development of hazelnuts and grasses as potential alternative biofuel sources 2000 - 2006.
He focused his energies on beautifying the Fulton landscape and gardens. As a volunteer he planted and maintained thousands of daffodils and tulip beds along 14th Avenue with the help of many community volunteers. He beautified Melody Hills subdivision overlooking the Mississippi River in Fulton during its development, planting hundreds of trees and personally designing and constructing stone walls and landscaping. He also landscaped the Fulton windmill site along the river. He shared many beautiful hosta plant specimens with local gardeners.
Gerry was respected as an advocate and expert on bluebirds, having documented the fledging of over 150 bluebirds in one spring season, in birdhouses built and maintained by him at the Twin Ponds Research Center. One summer he was able to get a bluebird to consistently land on his arm and eat grubs out of his hand. He also shared his knowledge of chimney swift migration and lectured locally on such topics as "Our Earthly Past," discussing local geology history.
During the late 1950s and 1960s he served on the Fulton School Board and as an elder at St. John Lutheran Church. He was honored as Grand Marshal of the 2001 Dutch Days Festivities for his contributions to the beautification of the City of Fulton and was awarded a key to the city.
Gerry continued to play piano in venues such as Bush's Café, Clinton Country Club and Fulton Sr. Citizen's Center throughout his life, to the delight of many listeners. Recently he wished that he still had a "gig."
He fully appreciated fine wine and dining, especially New Orleans cuisine. He was also an excellent photographer, often much to the impatience of family members, and to the horror of Alice, when the children were perched at the edge of mountain precipices for dramatic effect.
Gerry greatly looked forward to his Euchre games at Cousins Subs in Fulton. His upbeat mood was evidence of a good Euchre day. He took great pride in becoming co-champion of their Third Annual Euchre Tournament January 2011.
He was looked to as the patriarch of a large extended family, and spent many hours recording and sharing family genealogy, with the help of Pam. In later years, he remained active with courage despite numerous physical challenges.
He was a beloved husband and father, instilling in his children a standard of self-sufficiency, excellence, hard work, and obligation to do the right thing. Gerry was extremely proud of the many accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all.
Children include Connie (Dean) Long of Mankato, Minn., Trudy (Michael) Landwirth of Peoria, Ill., Pamela (Glenn) Gealy of Columbia, Md., Kyle (Kim) Kopf of Florida; and Kendall at home. Also surviving are grandchildren, Christina and Joseph (Marie) Long; Amy Landwirth; Matthew and Rachel Gealy and Kelly, Scott and Nicholas Kopf, as well as great-grandson Orion Long.
Gerry's parents; brothers, Ferdinand, Donald and Aaron and sister, Arleen, preceded him in death. He is survived by his sister, Dolores and many nieces and nephews.
Memorials are suggested for Fulton beautification to FACE (Fulton Association for Community Enrichment), Attn: Gerry Kopf Fund, P.O. Box 292, Fulton, IL 61252; Bethesda Lutheran Communities, Development Department, 600 Hoffmann Drive, Watertown, WI 53094; Christ Lutheran Cemetery, Attn: Maynard Struempler, 78020 Lodi Road, Oconto, NE 68860-1236; or The American Heart Association.
To send online condolences go to www.bosmarenkes.com
