Warren "Gene" E. Marshall

Warren Eugene Marshall, age 87, of Kearney (formerly of Elm Creek) died at his home on April 9, 2017, surrounded by family. Funeral services will be at 10:00 am Thursday at the First United Methodist Church in Kearney. The Rev. Doug Gahn will officiate. Interment will be in the Williamsburg Cemetery, south of Elm Creek. Visitation will be from 5-8 pm Wednesday at Elm Creek United Methodist Church in Elm Creek. O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home is serving the family. Memorials are suggested to the Williamsburg United Methodist Church or the Williamsburg Cemetery Association. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Eugene was born near Loomis on June 27, 1929, to Warren and Harriet Cole Marshall, as the 4th of seven children. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to a farm in the Platte River Valley, where Eugene spent the rest of his life. He attended rural Phelps County grade school, graduated from Elm Creek High School in 1947, and attended Kearney State Teachers college for two years before marrying the love of his life, Donna Wickard, in 1950 in Lexington, NE. Eugene joined the Armed Forces in 1952 and was stationed in Ft. Jackson, SC, and Gilnhausen, Germany, where Donna joined him and gave birth to the first of their 3 children – Penny, Candy and Jeff. From the time he was a little boy, Eugene wanted to be an auctioneer. Eugene graduated from the Reisch American School of Auctioneering in 1949, got his Real Estate Broker license in 1950. He worked at the Kearney Livestock Commission Company (owned by his father) through high school and college and eventually buying the business with his brother Robin. They ran a successful livestock auction business for 15 years. Eugene and Robin also built a successful land, farm equipment, and household auction business and were proud to have their sons, Miles and Jeff, join them in the business. Later, Eugene and Jeff formed a new company, Marshall Auctioneers. Eugene has a long and active membership in the Nebraska Auctioneers Association where he served as President of the Board. He took great pride in receiving the Auctioneer of the Year award in 1987. He retired from the auction business in 2002 and was inducted in to the Nebraska Auctioneers Hall of Fame in 2003. In addition to the livestock sale barn and his auction business, Eugene built a successful farming and ranching operation, Marshall Ranch, Inc. He was President and Manager of the operation until his retirement in 2002, when his son, Jeff, took over. His daughter, Penny, later joined the business. 4-H was a part of Eugene’s life from the time he was a boy and it became a part of life for his family. He was a 4-H leader for years and donated his services to the Buffalo County 4-H Auction, along with many other county auctions, for 51 years. He received the AKSARBEN Award for Meritorious Service. In addition to 4-H, Eugene served on the Board of the Livestock Feeder Association and was President of the Gateway Agriculture Show. Outside of 4-H, Eugene’s commitment to his community was unfailing. With his wife Donna, he was part of the heart and soul of the Williamsburg Community. Both were members of the Williamsburg United Methodist Church for 65 years and served on several committees, the Administrative Board, and the Board of Trustees. Eugene also served on the Williamsburg Cemetery Association and donated much of his time to the upkeep of the cemetery. Eugene loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter. He was invited to shoot on the Celebrity Team at the Nebraska One Box Pheasant Hunt and is now a member of the Past Shooters. He was a member of Pheasants Forever. Eugene was a steward of the land and wildlife by planting many trees and developing wildlife areas on his land. He spent many days at the Platte River with his family and friends hunting, tending cattle, and leading the annual hunt for a “Charlie Brown Christmas Tree” for their home. Eugene was a devoted father, grandfather and friend and was loved and will be missed by many. His survivors include his wife of 67 years, Donna Marshall; his brother Robin Marshall (wife Judy) and sisters Lois Rahmann and Deanna Francis; sisters-in-law Irma Marshall and Helen Nickel; his children Penny Buettner, Candy Marshall (husband, Jerry Stehlik), and Jeff Marshall (wife, Becky); and his grandchildren, David and Jonathan Buettner (wife Shawna), Madeline and Will Stehlik, and Lacy Donald , Hannah Hild (husband Blake), and Leah Kenney (husband, Gavin); and 3 great grandchildren – Marshall and Jaxon Donald, Birkley and soon to be born Alyia Buettner. He was preceded in death by his brothers Dick Marshall (wife Norma), Rud Marshall (wife Arbetta), Lawrence Marshall, Tom Marshall; and his grandson T.J. Buettner.

Warren "Gene" E. Marshall

June 27, 1929 - April 9, 2017