Patty Gibbs - Walter

Patty Gibbs-Walter, 58, died Friday, May 25, 2012 in Kearney. A memorial service will be held 10:30 AM, Thursday at Faith United Methodist Church in Kearney. The Rev. Michelle Reed will officiate. Interment will be 3:30 PM at Republican City Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7pm, Wednesday at O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney. Cremation will take place following the visitation. Memorials are suggested to VFW Post 759 of Kearney or the Kearney Area Concerned Citizens. On-line condolences may be shared at osrfh.com. O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. She was born on August 31, 1953, in Alma, Nebraska to Norman and Betty (Voight) Gibbs. She lived in Republican City until 1966 when the family moved to Kearney where she graduated from Kearney High School in 1971. In November 1971 she married Terry Walter and moved to Lexington. In 1990 she moved back to Kearney and in 1994 met her honey Curt Bauer. Since 1997 she was employed at Crop Production Services as the “Office Mommy.” During this time she also was employed part time at Central Financial Services as a secretary and at Bauer Repair as an office manager. She was involved with Kearney Area Concerned Citizens since 1996 organizing and preparing the annual Thanksgiving dinner where she was known as the “Potato Queen.” She was a devoted mother, “honey,” daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. Her dad nicknamed her “Doc” at a very young age, which she lived up to by spending her life taking care of other people. There was not a day that passed where she did not put others before herself. Growing up as a tomboy she loved riding horses and helping her daddy at the service station. She was the coach of her daughter’s softball team and was a Sunday school teacher for her son’s class. It did not matter what type of occasion it was when family or friends gathered, she was always enjoyed by others with her quick wit. She greeted everyone with a hug and always made everyone feel special. She surrounded herself with teddy bears and family keepsakes, which meant a lot to her. She enjoyed Storm hockey, watching bullriding, and celebrating life with family and close friends. She will be deeply missed by her Honey, Baby Girl, Little Buddy, nieces, nephews, sister-in-law, family, and friends. She was a member of the Faith United Methodist Church and supporter of the VFW Post 759. Survivors include daughter, Michele “Baby Girl” Walter of Arlington, Virginia; son, Ryan “Buddy” Walter of Lincoln, Nebraska; fiancé and honey, Curt Bauer of Hildreth, Nebraska; niece Kristi Gibbs and special friend Jack Gleason of Kearney, Nebraska; nephew Kurt Gibbs and wife Jill of Hastings, Nebraska; nephew Lanny “Goob” Gibbs and wife Pam of Kearney, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Shirley Gibbs of Republican City, Nebraska; and numerous great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Kenneth “Bud” Gibbs.

Patty Gibbs - Walter

August 31, 1953 - May 25, 2012