Gerald L. Werner

A quiet man has left this world of pain and turmoil for that of an exceedingly better one of joy and celebration. Gerald Lee Werner, born November 1, 1926, departed this earthly life on September 23, 2024, in Grant, Nebraska.

He was a man of determined conviction that anything was worth doing correctly, a man of great humor mixed with a little bit of orneriness, and a completely humble man of all things he did throughout his long life. The second-born to Henry J "Hank" and Amanda (Fuchshuber) Werner and baptized in the Christian faith in Seward, NE, the family moved to Grant, NE, when he was five years old, where he graduated from high school. Gerald served in the U.S. Air Force until his honorable discharge following WWII. He returned to Grant, where he worked in the family construction business with his father and brother, Omer. Shortly thereafter, he met and married his bride of 73 years, Bernadine Anne "Bernie" Reiselman, on June 1, 1951. To this union one daughter, Shelly Ann was born to give them joy and teach them patience beyond their wildest imagination.

As a civil servant, Gerald obtained a job with the local post office, from which he retired 34 years later. Those lucky enough to have him as their carrier saw him as a true example of the motto, "Neither hail, nor rain, nor sleet, nor snow..." In his free time, he built the house that he and his wife lived in and took great pride in maintaining it. He was involved in the building of Zion Lutheran Church in Grant (the original building and each new addition), and he also served as a congregational trustee for many years.

He was an avid sports enthusiast of the local and NU teams, attending all he could until he was unable. He served as bowling league secretary for both the Grant and Ogallala bowling alleys at a time when all stats were done manually. He was also a member and held various offices on the Grant Cemetery Board, Grant Golf Course Board, Nebraska Association of Rural Mail Carriers, and the local American Legion.

Gerald helped friends and family in any way he could, most likely with his carpentry skills and ingenuity of jury-rigging until the correct method of repair could be obtained.

Gerald said he never expected to outlive nearly all of his friends and family, but those of us who are still here will live on with many great memories. May he rest in peace in the Lord's House.

Gerald is survived by his wife, Bernie of Grant; daughter, Shelly (Paul) Shellabarger; 2 grandchildren, Cody (Becky) Shellabarger and Katie (Tyrone) Beasley; 8 great-grandchildren; sister, Karen Brown; sister-in-law, Fern Troy, along with many nieces and nephews.

Memorials are suggested to the Zion Lutheran Church in Gerald's memory. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com. Services will be live-streamed at ziongrant.org.

Services will be held on Friday, September 27, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Grant, with Pastor Michael Heckmann officiating. Interment will be in the Fairview Cemetery at Grant.

Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements.