Gordon Michaelis

1948 - 2025

Gordon Michaelis

February 10, 1948 - December 18, 2025

We come together to remember and celebrate the life of Gordon Michaelis, who was born on February 10, 1948, in Pawnee City, to Norman and Evelyn (Kalina) Michaelis, and departed from this world peacefully at home surrounded by his family and friends on December 18, 2025. He was a dedicated and resilient man who spent his life in service to his community and his family. He was a 1967 graduate of Barneston High School, and on August 17, 1967, he was united in marriage to Connie Plihal. He served in the Army National Guard from April 1967 to April 1973. He worked as a pump attendant - where he first met Connie, and then at Behrends Construction, Comico/Agrium, Progressive Ag Services, LLC, and also drove truck for Wheelers and Colgroves.

Gordon was a jack of all trades and passionate about his hobbies that included riding horses, gardening, go-cart and stock car racing, bowling, drag-racing, and participating in the Tractor Relay Across Nebraska. He was a dedicated outdoorsman and a familiar face at local rodeos. His commitment to his community was evident in his long-standing involvement with the AFL-CIO chemical workers union where he taught hazmat classes in St. Louis and Cincinnati, the Gage County Rodeo Association - Little Britches, Blue River 4H Club leader, little league baseball coach, Nebraska Endurance Competitive Trail Ride Association (NECTRA), the Nebraska State Volunteer Firefighters Association, and the Anderson Post #25 American Legion of Wymore. His proudest service came as a firefighter and EMT in Wymore. He has served in multiple leadership roles throughout his 53 years with the Wymore Volunteer Fire Department, including many terms as chief of the department. His love for his community and dedication to service earned him several distinctions, including the firefighter of the year award for the Nebraska State Volunteer Firefighters Association, as well as the 2018 NSVFA Fire Prevention David Heywood Leadership Award.

Surviving Gordon are his children, Jeannie Thomas and husband Anthony, and Darin Michaelis all of Wymore; his grandchildren, Heather Penner, Courtney (Jayson) Tennant, Dakota (Jerrad) Hurley, Dustin Michaelis (Amber Owens), Leslie (Derek) Smith, Chelsea (Tyler) Jones; great grandchildren, Isabelle and Emily Penner, Henry and Ryan Tennant, Parker, Noah, Aspen, Josephine and Stetson Hurley, Colt Michaelis, Carlie, Lane and Hunter Smith, Paisley, Remi and Makenzie Jones; brothers, Dell (Margaret) Michaelis, and Roger Michaelis; sister, Ginger (Todd) Nicolaus; brother-in-law, Roger (Suzanne) Plihal; sisters-in-law, Linda (Ed) James and Sherri (Doug) Ottersberg; several nieces and nephews and a host of extended family and friends. In his family, Gordon found his greatest joy and purpose. As a proud father, grandfather, and great grandfather, he was a supportive and dedicated figure, always present, always loving. He was preceded in death by his parents, Norman Michaelis and Evelyn Michaelis; wife, Connie (2019); parents-in-law, Eugene and Betty Plihal and Evelyn Plihal; sister-in-law, Marcia Robinette; brother-in-law, Dennis Burgess; and nephew, Kent Michaelis.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at Wymore Church of Christ with Clayton Lundstedt officiating. Burial will be at the Wymore Cemetery. The body will lie in state at the Laughlin-Hoevet Funeral Home on Tuesday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., with the family greeting relatives and friends from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and at the church one hour prior to the funeral. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for future designation with the funeral home in charge.

We encourage everyone to honor Gordon's memory by sharing their stories, memories, and photos of him on the memorial page at www.ghchapel.com as well as view his video tribute and service livestream. His life was a blessing to many, and his legacy will continue in the hearts and minds of those who loved him.

These services have been entrusted to the Laughlin-Hoevet Funeral Home in Wymore.

Laughlin-Hoevet Funeral Home

505 N 9th

Wymore, NE 68466

www.ghchapel.com

402-645-3322