Allen L. Gifford

Allen L. Gifford, 81, of Kearney, died Wednesday, April 05, 2017 at Mt. Carmel Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Monday, April 10, 2017 at First United Methodist Church in Kearney. The Reverend Melody Adams will officiate. Entombment will be at Riverdale Cemetery in Riverdale. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm Sunday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church or the donor’s choice. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Allen Lee Gifford was born on September 14, 1935 in Minden, Nebraska to Harold W. and Lucille M. (Pickering) Gifford. As a young boy his family moved to Endicott, Nebraska where he graduated from Endicott High School in 1953. He furthered his education at Fairbury Community College and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Allen worked for Dawson Public Power District until beginning his career with General Telephone Company. On March 24, 1973 he was united in marriage to Verna Maass at First United Methodist Church in Kearney. Allen retired from General Telephone after 30 years of dedicated service. In retirement Allen and Verna loved to travel, whether it be to their cabin at Johnson Lake, throughout the United States on motorcoach tours or taking cruises overseas. Later they made their home at Johnson Lake until returning to Kearney in 2015. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Central Nebraska Auto Club, the Elks Club and the Eagles Club. From the time he was a young man Allen has had a passion for classic cars. Throughout the years he has restored several cars and the couple participated in countless car shows, including nationals. Members of the classic car community and collectors fortunate to own Allen’s cars always marveled at his meticulous and pristine work. Allen and Verna were also two of the founders of Cruise Night. He also enjoyed hunting deer and bear. He is survived by his loving wife, Verna of Kearney; three sons, Merle Gifford of Kearney, Bradley Gifford of Kearney and Bruce Gifford of Beaver Lake, Nebraska; eight grandchildren; and thirteen great grandchildren. Allen was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Barbara Gladson.

Allen L. Gifford

September 14, 1935 - April 5, 2017