Gilbert Loseke

Gilbert T. Loseke, 91 of Kearney, died October 7, 2012 at Mount Carmel Home Keens Memorial. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, October 12, 2012 at First Lutheran Church in Kearney with the Reverends Eric Lesher and Rebecca McDermott officiating. Interment will be held at Roselawn Cemetery in Columbus, Friday at 3:30 P.M. Military rites will be conducted by the Nebraska National Guard Honors Team and American Legion Heartman Post #84. Visitation will be from 5-8 Thursday, October 11, 2012 at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the Building Fund at First Lutheran Church Kearney, Trinity Lutheran Church Columbus or Parkinson Foundation. Online condolences may be submitted to www.osrfh.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home of Kearney. Gilbert was born on April 11, 1921 in Columbus, NE to Emil and Anna (Mueller) Loseke. He grew up in Columbus and received his high school degree there. He entered the Army Air Corp. in September of 1942 and served in WWII in the Philippine Islands. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He was united in marriage to Anna Louise “Panny” Pancoast on August 3, 1942. Panny passed away in October 1981. Gilbert farmed most of his life in the Columbus area. He married LaVonne (Schaefer) Kluck on April 22, 1994 in Columbus, after which the couple moved to Kearney. He was a member of the Golden K Kiwanis. He liked to work and worked very hard for years on the farm. He enjoyed doing yard work, watching Husker football and traveling. He and LaVonne went on many cruises and bus tours. He was an active member of the First Lutheran Church of Kearney and Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbus. He served as secretary of Platte County's District #10 school board for 41 years. He also served on Columbus Rural Fire District, the Platte County Livestock Board and the Platte County Farm Bureau Board. He is survived by his wife, LaVonne; son, Donn Loseke and wife Cathy of Brevard, NC; daughter, Sheryl Loseke of Tacoma, WA; step-daughter, Susan Russell and husband Rod of Kearney; grandsons, Mike Loseke and wife Jenn of Frederick, CO, Shawn Loseke and wife Jaclyn of Loveland, CO, Aaron Chileski and wife Kelly of Anacortes, WA, John Russell and wife Stephanie of Kearney, Jim Russell and wife Heather of Kearney; granddaughters, Melissa Perry of NC, and Brenda Kitabatake and husband Yuji of Kearney; 8 great grandchildren; brother, Jerry Loseke and wife Karen of Gainesville, TX; and sister, Ethel Madison and husband Kenneth of Bellingham, WA. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Robert in infancy, Harvey and Mervin; sisters, Florence in infancy, and Evelyn Olson; sisters-in-law, Gladys Loseke and Darlene Loseke; and brother-in-law, Clarence Olson.

Gilbert Loseke

April 11, 1921 - October 7, 2012