Beverly 'Bev' J. Gierhan, age 83, of Kearney, passed away Saturday, May 14, 2022 at her home.
Visitation will be 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Friday, May 20, 2022 at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be conducted at Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Kearney at 10:00 am, Saturday, May 21, 2022 with Pastor John Rasmussen officiating.
Burial will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery in Franklin, NE.
Beverly (Bev) Gierhan (Schmidt) was born on Valentine's Day in North Platte, Nebraska to Charles and Doris (Hall) Schmidt. She grew up and attended rural schools in the sandhills of McPherson and Hooker counties until the age of 12. The family then moved to a ranch in Garfield County near Chambers. After graduating from Burwell High School, she attended Kearney State College where she earned her degree in teaching.
Her teaching career began in rural schools in Thomas, Garfield and Holt counties, ending in the Lexington Public School system for 41 years total. After her retirement, she did substitute teaching for Kearney Public Schools. During her full-time teaching career, she was a member of several educational organizations and held offices in some. They were: Delta Kappa Gamma, Alpha Delta Gamma, P.E.O. and N.S.E.A.
She married Martin (Bud) Gierhan at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington. They lived in Lexington until 1993 when they moved to Kearney to be nearer family. Her greatest joy was spending time with her two sons, Mike and Jim and four grandchildren that called her Momo: Jonathan Gierhan, Jenny Gierhan Fisher, Adam Gierhan and Ryan Gierhan. She was also an avid reader, afghan crocheter, and crafter. She enjoyed being with her friends painting, sewing, crafting, growing flowers and going to dances with Bud. She was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church and participated in Lutheran Women's Missionary League.
Survivors include son Jim and wife Rhonda Gierhan of Clay Center, Kan.; daughter-in-law Susan Gierhan; grandchildren, Jonathan and wife Sarah Gierhan of Kearney, Jenny and husband Evan Fisher of Lincoln, Adam and wife Amanda Gierhan and Ryan and Rebecka Gierhan of Clay Center, Kan.; six great grandchildren, Ava, Izzy, Owen, Konnor, Mia, & Abigail; a brother David and wife Barb Schmidt of Chelsea, Ala.; other relatives and friends.
Beverly is proceeded in death by her parents, husband Bud Gierhan, son Mike Gierhan and brother Gary Schmidt.
Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated later. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence.
Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney are in charge of arrangements.
