Gerry E. Loschen

Gerry Edward Loschen, 68, of Kearney, Nebraska passed away peacefully Monday, June 17, 2024 at the UNMC Buffett Cancer Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Friday at First Lutheran Church in Kearney, Nebraska with the Reverend Marcia Dorn officiating. Interment will be following services at the Kearney Cemetery. Visitation is 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home. Gerry was born on September 15, 1955 in Minden, Nebraska to Gerald and Sharron (Whipple) Loschen. He grew up in the Hildreth, Nebraska area and graduated from Hildreth High School. He then attended Kearney State College. He married his high school sweetheart, Arlene Casper, on June 7, 1975, in Kearney, Nebraska. To this marriage three children were born, Tom, Krista and Jared. Gerry started a lifelong career with the Buckle (formerly Brass Buckle) while attending college. He and Arlene moved to Hastings, Nebraska where he opened a new Buckle store. They then moved to Emporia, Kansas and later to Hutchinson, Kansas, opening stores in both cities. Gerry was then asked to transfer back to the corporate offices in Kearney to work first in the Operations Department scouting out new Buckle store locations, and later to lead the Distribution Center which was responsible for receiving and shipping clothing to all store locations. He worked for the Buckle for 45 years, retiring in 2019. Gerry was a member of First Lutheran Church, Kearney Chamber of Commerce Colonels, and the Kearney Country Club. He loved playing golf and cards with friends, attending Husker and Loper games, watching his children and grandchildren playing sports, going out to dinner and concerts, and traveling with family and friends. He was a Cub Scout leader, served on the Kearney Legion Baseball Board and coached basketball, soccer and baseball. Gerry was a wonderful mentor and leader of his employees, and several of those he hired were promoted to higher positions in other departments. He was extremely proud of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. Gerry enjoyed visiting with everyone, even those he didn’t really know, and he was a friend with anyone he met. Left to cherish his memory and celebrate his life are his wife of 49 years, Arlene of Kearney; son: Tom Loschen and wife Lauren of Olathe, Kansas, daughter: Krista Tonniges and husband Drew of Gothenburg, Nebraska, and son: Jared Loschen and wife Jenae of Kearney; 7 grandchildren, Luke and Lila Loschen of Olathe, Ryun and Corbyn Tonniges of Gothenburg, and Hudsyn, Colstyn and baby granddaughter Loschen due in August of Kearney; sister Pam Stone and special friend Lyle Kohmetscher of Lawrence, Nebraska, brother Kelly Loschen and wife Joy of Columbus, Nebraska; brothers-in-law Merv Casper of Hildreth, Nebraska, and Aldean Casper of Tucson, Arizona; sister-in-law Dona Casper of Hildreth; beloved aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, along with a host of cousins and friends. Gerry was preceded in death by his brothers-in-law Roger Stone and Gene Casper; parents Gerald and Sharron Loschen. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials designated to cancer research through the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation or Kearney Legion Baseball. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services.

Gerry E. Loschen

September 15, 1955 - June 17, 2024