Gayle Bontz

Gayle Lynn (Asche) Bontz, of Kearney Nebraska, went to be with Jesus on June 20th, 2025. She left peacefully and was with her family at the time. Gayle was born August 29th, 1953 in Grand Forks, North Dakota to Joest and Catherine Asche, and is the younger of their two daughters, with Diane Derra being the eldest. Gayle spent her early years in Grand Forks, but later moved to Gering Nebraska where she graduated High School. She then attended Western Nebraska Community College before graduating from Kearney State College, in Kearney Nebraska, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education. Upon graduation, Gayle served as a special education teacher for 17 years in the Kearney Public School system. Gayle married her beloved husband Brian on June 22nd, 1990 in an intimate ceremony held in her parents living room in Gering. Brian and Gayle lived in Kearney throughout their marriage and were blessed with four children (Ashley, David, Michael, and Stephen), who were her pride and joy. After raising her four kids, Gayle returned to teaching as a paraeducator at Kenwood Elementary for another 14 years. Gayle was exceptionally passionate about playing the piano, frequently filling her home with beautiful music and serving on the worship team along with her husband at their church. She was a deeply committed and active member at Grace Fellowship Church in Kearney for over 40 years and highly regarded by many as a woman of great faith who loved serving others. In addition to the worship team, she loved her time serving in the children’s ministry for many years, teaching Sunday school, and was always involved with large community events hosted at the church. Gayle is survived by her husband Brian; children Ashley, David, Michael, and Stephen; her sister Diane; and grandchildren Meadow, Memphis, Mackson, Ailish, Arthur, and Blythe. A visitation will be held on Sunday, June 29th, from 6:00pm to 8pm at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home (4115 N Avenue, Kearney, NE 68847). A Celebration of Life service will be held at Grace Fellowship Church (4305 19th Avenue, Kearney, NE 68845) on Monday, June 30th at 10:00am. The service will be livestreamed on the Church website (www.KearneyGrace.com) and on their YouTube Channel (@KearneyGrace) for those who cannot attend in person. An interment will occur following the service, in Minden Nebraska and a reception will be held at Kearney Fellowship Church afterward. The family suggests that any memorials be given to Grace Fellowship Church, designated specifically for their “Worship School” program. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Gayle Bontz please visit our Sympathy Store. The family suggests that any memorials be given to Grace Fellowship Church, designated specifically for their “Worship School” program. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services.

Gayle Bontz

August 29, 1953 - June 20, 2025