Daniel C. Gitt

September 8, 1951 - May 6, 2022

Daniel Crawford Gitt, 70, of Kearney, passed away surrounded by his family at his home in Kearney, Nebraska on May 6, 2022 of complications of Neuroendocrine Cancer. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Kearney, with Father Paul Colling presiding. Interment will follow at Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Monday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home with Rosary/Prayer service beginning at 6:00 p.m. Born September 8, 1951 at Brewster Hospital in Holdrege, Nebraska to George Crawford Gitt and Bertha Lois (Hanson) Gitt. Dan was raised on the family farm near Wilcox, Nebraska, along with older brothers David, Stanley and Kenneth. Dan attended Wilcox Public School, graduating with the Class of 1969. He attended Kearney State College where he was a member of Beta Sigma Psi Fraternity. Dan graduated in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. He taught high school science in Greeley, Nebraska, then furthered his education, earning certification as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist at University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City. In 1976, Dan was united in marriage to Ellen Marie Moore. They were blessed with two children: Eric Daniel and Jill Marie. Dan started his career as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist at University of Nebraska Medical Center, then worked at Lutheran Hospital in Grand Island. Dan and Ellen moved to the family farm in Wilcox in 1981 where Dan enjoyed a career as a farmer and also sold Pioneer Seed. He retired from Pioneer in 2011 and he and Ellen moved to Kearney. Dan always had a sense of adventure and wanted to experience all life had to offer. After being diagnosed with Stage Four Neuroendocrine Cancer in 1996, his desire to make the most of every day only became greater. He loved to travel with his wife and family and was constantly planning the next big thing. Some highlights of his travel included riding a camel in the Arabian Desert, having an audience with Pope Francis in Rome, riding a bike down Haleakla volcano in Hawaii, and fishing in Canada. He bravely battled Neuroendocrine Cancer for 26 years, always researching new treatments and clinical trials, and attending Neuroendocrine Tumor conferences. He traveled to Basel, Switzerland three times in 2009 to receive cutting edge treatments that were approved by the FDA in the United States 10 years later. In 2021, Dan was patient 19 in a phase 1 clinical trial in Houston, Texas for another new treatment. His courage to fight cancer was an inspiration to many. Dan had the greatest admiration and gratitude for all of the amazing doctors, nurses, technicians, and researchers who supported him, encouraged him, and treated him with love and dignity over the past 26 years. Dan was a dedicated Nebraska Cornhusker fan, attending football and basketball games whenever he had the chance. He was an avid golfer, and would always be calling up buddies and asking them to meet him on the course. He enjoyed playing cards with his poker group, snow skiing, farming, and taking trips to the beach. He cherished his family, particularly his grandchildren, and loved attending their various sports and activities and visiting them every chance he had. He was adored by his grandchildren, who would refer to him the Precious One. His patience and love for his grandchildren was legendary. Dan was a member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Kearney, and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Dan’s faith was very important to him, and he passed along his faith to his children and grandchildren. He also shared his faith with other cancer warriors in the YMCA’s Livestrong program where he was known as “Miracle Dan” for his incredible and valiant cancer journey. Dan was proceeded in death by his parents, sister-in-law Ann Bruns, brothers-in-law Pat Moore and Jim Moore. Dan is survived by his wife, Ellen Gitt of Kearney, son Eric (Jennifer) Gitt of Omaha, daughter Jill (Mathew) Steuter of Fairfax, Virginia, grandchildren Celia and Adeline Gitt, Elizabeth, Paul and Katherine Anne Steuter, brothers David (Judy) Gitt of Fremont, Stan (Kathy) Gitt of Valley, Ken (Susan) Gitt of Mt. Airy, NC, sisters-in-law Kate (Paul) Glaser of Spalding, Tami Moore of Kearney, brother-in-law Dennis Bruns of Grand Island, many cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. In Lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to The Healing Net Foundation, 415 Spence Ln, Nashville, TN 37210 or at https://thehealingnet.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/thehealingnet/donation.jsp.Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services. Messages from Dan: I am a truly blessed 26 year cancer patient and survivor! I was diagnosed in December, 1995 with stage 4 neuroendocrine tumors (NET) of the midgut with spread to liver and lymph nodes. At the time, my oncologist said 7 years of lifetime is typical of a NET patient. The new drug therapies, better tumor marker genes, increased cancer awareness, new scanning techniques and new treatments over the years has given me hope and gratefulness for my extended life. Along with a lot of prayers. I am truly a walking miracle! Thank God!I truly want to thank all the doctors, from Dr. Larry Bragg, Dr. Alden Kielhorn, Dr. George Bascom, Dr. Nick Hart, from Kearney, Dr. Aaron Sasson from University of Nebraska Medical Center, radiologists, technologists, nurses, researchers, and all of the healthcare staff. Special thanks to my super-specialists Dr. Tom O'Dorisio, Dr. James Howe and Dr. Chandrikha Chandrasekharan, from University of lowa Hospitals and Clinics, and Professor Doctor Jan Mueller of University Hospital of Basel, Switzerland. It has been a roller coaster of ups and downs, fighting this slow growing cancer. But with fund raisers like Relay for Life we can look for a better outlook for cancer patients in the future. I also want to thank Ann Johnson, Arla Houck, Steve Huffman, Rachel for leading the YMCA Cancer Support Group. I was inspired and loved our support group involvement. Research has shown getting involved with support at these groups keep physical and morale spirits up. I have been blessed to be a part of this!It's not so much the end of life, it is the adventures of life coming to a close. But what an adventure it has been! I am happy I was a part of it. Lessons learned: No matter what tests and the good doctors say, none of us really know when these adventures will come to an end. I love you.just saying. The rest of you are still on your adventure of life. Be happy, not sad. Happy for good friends. Happy for living longer to make your day or someone else's day. I am truly blessed to know all of you from the technologists, doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, prints, friends and all! God bless.