Gerald R. Schildhauer

Gerald R. Schildhauer, 70, of Kimball, died at his home in Kimball on Monday, October 10, 2016. Celebration of life will be held at the Kimball 4-H Building on Thursday, October 20, 2016 from noon until 2:30 p.m. Friends are invited to dress casual and enjoy a time of fellowship and refreshments with the family. The services for Gerald have been entrusted to the Cantrell Funeral Home.

Gerald Robert Schildhauer was born in Chadron, Nebraska on January 28, 1946, the son of Edwin and Francis (Elsberry) Schildhauer. He was raised in Hay Springs and while growing up he helped his father on the family farm. Throughout life he was known to his family as Jocko or Festus. Gerald graduated from the Hay Springs High School in 1964. He worked on a harvest crew and traveled from Texas to Canada during the harvest season. He moved to Garden City, Kansas and worked for the City of Garden City and later worked as a ranch hand in Nebraska and South Dakota on the Lemley Ranch. Gerald was married to Mary Asbjeld on June 6, 1970 in Hay Springs. They lived in Rapid City and Edgemont, South Dakota and in 1973 they moved to Watertown where he went to school to become a machinist. He worked as a truck driver working in the oil field in North Dakota and Nebraska and also farmed and ranched for his uncle. Gerald worked for Hankins Implement Dealership as a mechanic. They moved to Kimball in 1985 and he drove a truck for Permain. He loved fishing, hunting, and camping. His hobbies included rodeo, woodworking and spending time in his shop making things for his family and friends. He loved working in the yard, doing crossword puzzles and watching western movies. He enjoyed time at the coffee shop and being with his family and friends.

Survivors include his wife Mary Schildhauer of Kimball; children Nancy (Gene) Winter of St. Maries, ID., Steven (Ruth) Schildhauer of Sidney, NE., Dennis (Michael Hoppe) of Cheyenne, WY., Dan (Kim) Schildhauer of Kimball, NE., Tara (Dan) Grube of Cheyenne, WY and Tina (Chuck) Warner of Cheyenne, WY; brothers Wayne (Linda) Schildhauer of Dix, NE., and Marvin (Patty) Schildhauer of Ashby, NE; 15 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, great grandson Jason and numerous aunts and uncles and his beloved pet Buddy.