GARRELTS, Wayne J

Wayne J Garrelts, 82 years of age from Kearney, NE, formerly of Hildreth, NE, passed away October 12, 2012 at Good Samaritan Hospital, Kearney NE. Wayne was born April 5 1930 to John C and Rena (Schmidt) Garrelts on the family farm south of Wilcox. The family later moved to Hildreth NE. Wayne graduated in 1947 from Hildreth High School. He attended Kearney State College in Kearney, NE. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hildreth, NE. Wayne served in the Air National Guard from 1951 to 1954. During his time in Maine, he met and married Charlotte (Pihlcrantz) in Orrington, Maine on September 6, 1952. They were married for 60 years. They were blessed with three children, David, Debra, and Daniel. He farmed most of his life south of Hildreth and enjoyed spending several winters in Arizona. They moved to Kearney, NE in the summer of 2007. He enjoyed reading, westerns, gardening, playing cards, starting up a conversation with those he didn't know, traveling and spending time with all his family. Survivors include his wife, Charlotte; Sons - David Garrelts and wife Diane, Sutton, NE; Daniel Garrelts and wife Roxanne, Hildreth, NE; Daughter - Deb Gdowski and husband Ted, Columbus NE. Grandchildren - Johnanthon Garrelts, Hildreth, NE; Rebecca (Garrelts) James and husband Adam, Bancroft, NE; Denise (Garrelts) Vargas, Lincoln NE; and Deanna (Garrelts) Handrup and husband Brandon, Hampton NE. Great grandchildren Nolan Vargas, Lincoln NE; MaKenna James, Addison James, and Jaylynn James, Bancroft NE; and Brooks Handrup, Deagan Handrup, and Blaykley Handrup, Hampton NE. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; sister Esther Thomsen, and brother in law Leland Thomsen. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, and cousins. Funeral service will be on Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Hildreth, NE with Revs. Steven and Patti Byrne officiating. Burial will be in the West Salem Cemetery south of Hildreth. Visitation will be at the Jelden-Layton Funeral Chapel in Hildreth from 3-5 and 7-8 p.m., the family will be present from 3-4 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Hildreth Public Library or Hildreth Volunteer Department.
Posted by on December 21, 2012

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