Jerry L. Arent

Jerry L. Arent, 70, of Kearney, died Sunday, November 1, 2015 at CHI Good Samaritan Hospital after a courageous nine-month battle with lung cancer, his family was by his side. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am Friday at Prince of Peace Catholic Church with Fr. Joe Hannappel officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm Thursday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home, with a Vigil Prayer Service at 7 pm. Burial will be at 2:30 pm at Westlawn Memorial Park in Grand Island with Fr. Art Faesser officiating. Memorials are suggested to Kearney Tackles Cancer. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Jerry Lee Arent was born on June 2, 1945 in Grand Island the son of Donald W. and Mildred M. (Stolle) Arent. He grew up in Grand Island and graduated from Grand Island Senior High School in 1963. He was united in marriage to Gaylene Palu on January 16, 1965 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Grand Island. In January the couple celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Jerry entered the United States Army on March 30, 1966 and served in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive. He was honorably discharged on March 29, 1968. Jerry returned to Grand Island where he and Gaylene owned and operated the Five Points Conoco. In 1973 they sold the Conoco station and moved to Kearney where they purchased the Phillips 66 on 25th and D. They also operated a U-Haul dealership at the same location and have continued with U-Haul for over 45 years. They later opened Exhaust Pros in Kearney which they owned and operated until selling it to long time employee Scott Classen. In February of 1999 they closed the Phillips 66 and developed the 56th St. Sinclair Plaza. Throughout the years Jerry has remained a constant provider for his family through successful businesses, achieved through his customer service oriented philosophy and his dedicated employees, which Jerry appreciated for all their hard work. He was an animal lover and was very close to his three therapy animals. Most of all Jerry loved spending time with his family, especially his grandson, Cooper. They spent countless hours horsing around, riding ATV’s and he always looked forward to attending Cooper’s sporting and musical events. Jerry also loved cars, and enjoyed the challenge of finding particular cars that would fit the needs of family members. Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Gaylene of Kearney; his daughter, Christine and husband Cory Johnson of Amherst; his grandson, Cooper Johnson of Amherst; two brothers, Ronald and wife Kathy Arent of Grand Island and David and wife Victoria Kraft of Grand Junction, CO; and a sister, Susan and husband Randy Barlow of Grand Island. He was preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ralph and Virginia Palu; and a brother-in-law, Ricky Palu.

Jerry L. Arent

June 2, 1945 - November 1, 2015