Gary D. Fernau, 79, of Arcadia passed away on Monday, July 24, 2023, at the Valley County Health System Hospital in Ord, Nebraska.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 29, 2023; at the Arcadia Methodist Church. Pastor Ray Berry and Rolen Sell will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Arcadia Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the Arcadia American Legion Post #251 and the US Navy Honor Guard. The family will receive friends on Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Church. Memorials are suggested to the Arcadia Fire and Rescue Department, Arcadia American Legion Post #251 or the Valley County Home Health and Hospice Department. Ord Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements, www.ordmemorialchapel.com.
Gary Duane was born March 17, 1944, in Brown County near Ainsworth, Nebraska to Glen and Pauline (Einspahr) Fernau. The family moved to the North Loup area where Gary received his early education before settling in Arcadia and graduating in 1962.
Following high school Gary worked on road construction before enlisting in the United States Navy in March of 1963. He was stationed on the USS Hassayampa (AO-145); refueling ships during the Vietnam War. In June of 1966, he was discharged from the Navy and returned home, to Arcadia and worked in construction.
On July 1, 1967, Gary was united in marriage to Bonnie Rae Gartside at Arcadia, Nebraska. The couple was blessed with six children. Gary farmed until 1986, when he went to work for Richard Anderson Construction. In 1988, he began his career with the Middle Loup Irrigation District; retiring in 2014. He continued to work for Bossen Livestock until May of 2019.
Gary also helped local farmers during harvest and drove a school bus. Along with his wife, Bonnie the couple owned and operated Someone Else’s Place Café from 1978-1993 and managed the Arcadia Legion Club from 2006-2012.
Gary was involved in many local capacities; he served on the Arcadia School Board, was a Valley County Supervisor; and past Commander of the American Legion Post #251. He was instrumental in organizing the first Demolition Derby at Arcadia. In his younger years he was a 4-H leader and enjoyed Softball, Bowling and Golf leagues. His favorite pastimes were having coffee with his buddies and attending his grandchildren’s activities.
Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Garrod and Laura of Ansley and Shane and Chalee of Grand Island; four daughters and sons-in-law, Delta and Brian Sears, Jamie and Rich Spencer, Amber and Vernon Veskerna all of Arcadia, and Jacki and Chuck Dostal of Dodge; fourteen grandchildren, Garrison and Lauren Fernau, Lance, Jestin and Palyn Sears, Logan Spencer (Tanna), Macy, Hailey and Ty Veskerna, Cole, Kinley and Berklee Fernau and Chloe and Cooper Dostal; in-laws, Bill and Brenda Gartside of California and Beverly and Larry Nagorski of Wood River; and his special companion, Banjo.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bonnie who passed away on July 9, 2015; and an infant brother, Galen Fernau.
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