Gerald E. "Jerry" Matzke, Sr.

Gerald E. "Jerry" Matzke, Sr., age 93, of Sidney, NE passed away in Sidney, NE on Thursday September 5, 2024. A Celebration of Life/Open House will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 4:00-7:00 P.M. at Boss City Brewery, 1200 Jackson Street, Sidney, with family remarks at 5:00 P.M. (casual attire). Private family inurnment will take place at Greenwood Cemetery. Cremation has been held. There will be no formal visitation or viewing at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jerry's name to the Nebraska National Guard Museum, (201 N. 8th Street, Seward, NE 68434) or the Sidney Public Schools Education Foundation, (1101 21st Avenue, Sidney, NE 69162), or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel to leave condolences for the family. You may view Jerry's Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at http://www.gehrigstittchapel.com. Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Jerry's care and funeral arrangements.

Gerald E. "Jerry" Matzke, Sr. was born on March 16, 1931 in Seward, Nebraska to Stanley A. Matzke, Sr. and Pauline Burkett Matzke. Jerry graduated from Seward High School in 1948 and from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln in 1952. In college, Jerry was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and the Innocents Society. He was commissioned as a U.S. Army 2nd Lieutenant in 1952 and later served in the Nebraska National Guard. Jerry won a Root Tilden Scholarship to New York University Law School. The scholarship was based on academics, campus activities, and the potential for public leadership. After graduating from NYU law school in 1955, Jerry spent one year as a Teaching Associate to the Dean of the University of Nebraska College of Law. In 1956, he joined the Sidney law firm now known as Matzke, Mattoon, Martens & Strommen. Jerry enjoyed his small-town law practice where he had expertise in multiple areas of law, including oil & gas, probate, insurance defense, and corporate

law. Jerry served in the Nebraska Legislature from 1993 through 2000. His decades of Nebraska legal experience enabled him to be a capable and effective legislator. Jerry was a member of the boards of the Sidney Public Schools, Cheyenne County Hospital, Sidney Federal Savings & Loan, and Cabela's Inc. He was also a member of The University of Nebraska

President's Advisory Council and the Program Advisory Committee for the Nebraska Educational Television Commission. Jerry served in the House of Delegates of the Nebraska Bar Association, on the Supreme Court of Nebraska Ethics Advisory Committee, and as a (part-time) U.S. Magistrate. Jerry was awarded the Nebraska State Bar Association Foundation Distinguished Service Award in 2013 in recognition of his service to the legal profession. In later years, Jerry and his wife Lee-Ellen enjoyed traveling both domestically and abroad. Jerry was an avid photographer. He read extensively, with the philosophy of religion and history as his major interests. Jerry's favorite pastime was gardening, and he spent hours tending his gorgeous rose bushes. Jerry was a strong advocate of education and took great pride in the fact that all four of his children earned advanced degrees.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 71 years, Lee-Ellen Creasman Matzke, Sidney; his four children and their spouses: Dr. Jay (Ann) Matzke, Hays, KS; Jane (Ken) Christoffersen, Denver, CO; Doran Matzke (Bill Stark), Denver, CO; and, Dr. Dana (Dr. Tim) Govaerts, Laramie, WY; his nine grandchildren: Alex Matzke (Steven Casanova), Florida, Puerto Rico; Jered (Jessica) Matzke, Canton, GA; Sloan Matzke, Brooklyn NY; Lee (Eoin) Helmsen, Gibsons, British Columbia; Jack (Marta) Christoffersen, New York, NY; Austin Stark, Denver, CO; Evan Stark, Dallas, TX; Jack (Echo) Govaerts, Laramie, WY; and Sam Govaerts, Laramie, WY; and four great grandsons: Cooper, Collin, and Wesley Matzke and Caleb Christoffersen. Jerry is also survived by his sister, Ellan Hove, Lincoln, NE brother and sister-in-law Chuck (Jan) Matzke, Seward, NE and sisters-in-law Dorothy Matzke, Lincoln, NE and Susan Creasman, Garnavillo, IA. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Stanley A. Matzke, Jr., and two brothers-in-law, Skip Hove and Gary Creasman.

GERALD E. "JERRY" MATZKE, SR