Gerald Brestel

Gerald Brestel, 93 of Bend, Ore. and a longtime Sidney resident, passed into Eternal life on Friday, July 10, 2015 in Bend.

His life will be remembered and celebrated with services on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. in the Evangelical Free Church in Sidney. Inurnment will follow in the Pleasant View Cemetery north of Lodgepole.

Memorial gifts can be made to the Evangelical Free Church Missions by sending them to either Karolyn Pierson at P.O. Box 633, Kremmling, CO 80459 or Syd Brestel at 61244 Dayspring Dr., Bend, OR 97702.

Cremation has taken place and there is no visitation at the funeral home.

You can view the online obituary and share condolences with the family at http://www.holechekfuneralhomes.com

Gerald Oscar Brestel was born Nov. 13, 1921 to William E. and Charlotte A. Piercy Brestel at Chappell. He had one sister, Geraldine Mary, two brothers, James Austin and William E. (all deceased). His youth was spent on the family homestead farm. He graduated from Deuel County High School in 1939. He married Helen Margaret Kahrs on Nov. 5, 1941. They settled on the Kahrs family homestead north of Lodgepole. To this union, three children were born: Karolyn Kay, Daniel Ray (deceased), and Sydney Gayle. The family lived and worked the farm with the late Anna W. Kahrs, late John H. Kahrs and Ernest A. Kahrs. To supplement income from the farm, Gerald drove school bus. When rural electricity came, he worked with community members to install it.

Gerald and Helen were devoted followers of Jesus. He became a pastor. They served their Lord faithfully till their physical deaths.

Gerald and Helen moved to Sidney in 1957. He worked for the Sidney Police Department. Gerald served on the City of Sidney City Council from Nov. 1982 to Dec. 1990 which culminated in his becoming mayor from 1986 to 1988. He was instrumental in allowing the Cabela's to use the old John Deere building when starting their fly tying business. He also was involved in the development of the area around and including McDonald's at the I-80 exchange. He was privileged to have met President Regan. He worked for the Narjes family enterprises after retirement. When his wife incurred a debilitating illness, he faithfully and lovingly cared and served her till her death. Since his wife's death he alternately lived with daughter Karolyn and son Syd, but was with Syd the last 5 years in Bend.

He leaves two children: daughter, Karolyn Pierson of Kremmling and son Syd Brestel & wife Mary of Ben; four grandchildren: Daniel Brestel and wife Tammy of Portland, Annalis Pierson of Kremmling, Angela Stuchlik Jennings and husband William of Surprise, Ariz. and Dathan Brestel of Dallas, TX; seven great-grandchildren: Danny's children Kyle, Keyara, Kendra and Kordell Brestel; Dathan's daughter Faith Brestel of Bend; Angie's children Mikayla Rose Pierson and Tristan Stuchlik of Surprise, Ariz .; one bother-in-law, Ernest Kahrs and wife Pauline of Lodgepole; two nieces: Sandy (Marc) Nelson of Sidney and Pam (Tom) Nelson of Prewitt, N.M .; and two nephews; Robert Schmidtline of Palm Springs, Calif. and Jack Brestel of Lincoln.

Preceding him in passing are his wife Helen, son Danny, son-in-law Harold Pierson, brother-in-law Johnny Kahrs, brothers and sister, Jim, Bill and Gerry, nephew Steven Kahrs, his parents, as well as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Holechek Funeral Home and Cremations in Sidney is serving the Brestel family.