Clayton 'Moose' L. Shoemaker

Clayton L. “Moose” Shoemaker, 78, of Potter, NE passed away at his home Tuesday evening, January 18, 2022. He was surrounded by his loving wife of 52 years, a caregiver, and 1 granddaughter.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 in the Prairie West Church in Potter, NE with Pastor Warren Cico officiating. Services will conclude at the Church with cremation to follow. Inurnment will be in the Potter Cemetery at a later date. Services will be recorded and available on our website for viewing. Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Event Center on Monday, January 24th from 1-6:00 P.M. Family will be present 4-6:00 P.M. Memorials can be made to the Potter Fire Department and Prairie West Church in Potter, NE.

You may view Moose’s Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at http://www.gehrigstittchapel.com.

Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Moose’s care and funeral arrangements.

Moose was born November 4, 1943 in Dalton, NE, to Jackson “Lee” and Evelyn (Mayer) Shoemaker. He grew up on the family farm and attended Prairie View Country School District #142 through 8th grade. He then attended Potter High School and graduated in 1961. He graduated from Chadron State College in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in Education and began his career in teaching at Minatare High School where he taught Industrial Arts and Drivers Ed and coached basketball and football.

On November 8, 1969, he married the love of his life, Linda Magers of Elsie, NE, at the Elsie United Methodist Church. To this union, 2 children were born-Shawn and Shannon.

In 1971, the couple returned to Potter to make their home. He began teaching in Kimball where he taught Middle School until he took over the family farm in 1980. Moose was a member of the Potter United Methodist Church. Moose served his community on the Village Board, the Potter and Potter-Dix School Board, Potter Fire Department, Lions Club, and was a member of the Sidney Elks. Moose was a trained mediator and worked at the Mediation Center in Scottsbluff. He sold real estate for Bitner Warner Realty in Scottsbluff and had jobs working as a brakeman for Union Pacific, he worked for Halliburton Oil and drove cattle trucks.

Moose loved life. He was well known for his big smile and could light up a room. He had a generous spirit, kind heart and witty comebacks. He also had an ornery side and loved to make people laugh. He loved to banter with the coffee group.

Moose loved the Lord and he loved the farm, cattle and cattle sales and felt it was a privilege to care for God’s land and animals. He was always up for an adventure. He loved a good card game and was quite a card shark. He loved his family more than anything and treasured his friends.

He enjoyed riding 4-wheelers on family trips to Colorado, vacations with his wife and family, and trips with friends. He enjoyed collecting Red Wing Pottery, Fantasy football, he loved the Huskers, hunting, watching his kids and grandkids participate in activities He loved cars-especially his corvette the “Mayflower”. He was a great joke and storyteller, and he loved PIE! He was humble and led by example. He taught his children the value of hard work, faith and family and it lives on through them and his grandchildren.

He is survived by: his loving wife Linda of Potter, son, Shawn and wife Nikki of Potter, daughter Shannon and husband Mark Ostransky of Fremont, grandchildren, Jayden, Kenzie, Alexa, Krickett Shoemaker, and Madison and Miles Ostransky; sisters Sonja May and husband Jack, and Tammy Daacke and husband Bob; Sister-in-law Paula Schuermann and husband Randy, several nieces, nephews, cousins and his many beloved friends.

He is preceded in death by: his parents, Jackson “Lee” and Evelyn Shoemaker, and in-laws Dale and Dorothy Magers.