Jerry W. Gewecke

Gerald Walter Jerry Gewecke, 82 of Wood River, died Monday, November 21, 2016 at his home in Wood River, NE. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 26, 2016 at Apfel Funeral Home in Wood River with Derek Apfel, CFC officiating. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, November 25, 2016 at Apfel Funeral Home in Wood River. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Apfel Funeral Home is serving the family.

Jerry Gewecke was born July 12, 1934 in Kearney, Nebraska at the Good Samaritan Hospital, the son of Walter F., & Vera (Byers) Gewecke. He grew up south of Kearney and west of Alda, where he farmed with his dad. Jerry attended Alda public school and entered the work force at a young age working for the Kearney Sugar beet factory. Jerry also worked at the Grand Island Airport and flew his Piper Cub J-3. Jerry was hired by the REA and shortly began his own business with his wife Donna, as an electrician AKA Gewecke Electric.

Jerry married Donna Lucille Sheeks on June 22, 1952 in Wood River at the Presbyterian Church; they shared 64 years together. To this union, 3 children were born; Valarie Klein of St. Paul, NE; Craig (Donna) Gewecke of Gillette, WY; and Vickie (Jamie) Sich of Chapman, NE. Grandchildren are Anthony (Althea) Klein; Phillip (Sydney) Klein; Mark (Diana) Klein; Kyle (Natalie) Gewecke; Tyrel (special friend, Tara) Gewecke; Eric Gewecke; James V (Sellenee) Sich; and Lindsey Sich as well as 14 great-grandchildren who all loved him dearly.

Jerry loved the outdoors almost as much as he loved his family. Jerry enjoyed camping, waterskiing, hunting, fishing, trapshooting, gardening and flying airplanes; saying he was the oldest student pilot he knew. Our dad was a man of many talents, all of our homes benefitted from his energy and skills. Jerry enjoyed traveling with Donna and covered the USA from Florida to Alaska. Jerry was a storyteller, with not many of them being tall tales; his life stories were very educating and offered freely. Jerry is survived by his family; brothers in law; and numerous nieces and nephews and was loved deeply by all friends. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dale Sr. and one great-grandchild, Chris.