Gerald Gerler - Obituary

Gerald Ernest Gerler was born on May 2, 1931 to Ernest and Paula (Braeuner) Gerler in Potter, Nebraska.

Gerald peacefully passed away surrounded by family at 4 am on January 9, 2020 in Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 88 years, 8 months and 7 days. Services are 11 a.m. today, Jan. 15, at St. John Lutheran Church, 919 N. Columbia Ave., Seward, NE. Interment with full military honors will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Seward.

He graduated from Potter High School in 1949 and worked on the family farm. Gerald enlisted in the United States Air Force and served from November 21, 1951 to December 6, 1955. On August 17, 1957, Gerald was united in marriage to Ruth Seevers at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sidney, Nebraska.

Gerald's telecommunication career began with Bell Telephone. He then spent the next years working in Western Nebraska as a technician and engineer, until retiring in 1988 from AT&T as a supervisor in Kansas City. After retirement and moving to Seward Nebraska. He enjoyed spending time with his family. Fishing, boating, working outdoors, and lending a hand to the neighborhood were some of the things he enjoyed. He was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church. He volunteered his time to Operation Abel, driving the senior shuttle, and was instrumentally involved in starting the Seward Senior Center. He enjoyed his Huskers and also followed the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Gerler, Seward, Nebraska; daughters, Debbie Gerler, Seward, Nebraska, Jane (Bryce) Johnson, Shawnee, Kansas; grandchildren, Brandy (Joey) Ford, William Dodgen III, Bryce K. Johnson, Holly Johnson, Danielle (Sam) Sanchez; great-grandchildren, Briana Ford, Kaelyn Johnson, Evalisse Sanchez, Samuel Sanchez; sister, Darlene Thies, Valentine, Nebraska; and several nieces and nephews. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Paula Gerler and son-in-law William Dodgen Jr.