Gary "Shorty" Jansen

Gary “Shorty” Jansen, age 67, of Coleridge, Nebraska died on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Funeral services are 10:30 AM, on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Coleridge with Reverend Marilyn Hasemann officiating. The burial will be at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery in rural Madison, Nebraska at approximately 2:00 PM on Thursday. Visitation is from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, on Wednesday, July 24 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Coleridge with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Visitation continues for one hour prior to the funeral at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Coleridge.

Pallbearers are his nephews and grandsons: Joel Jansen, Jason Jansen, Jared Jansen, Kenny Jansen, T.D. Hartner, Garret Hartner, Colton Jansen and Jordan Jansen. Honorary pallbearers are his grandchildren and remaining nieces and nephews.

Gary Joseph Jansen, known as Shorty to all who knew him, was born July 19, 1957, in Norfolk, Nebraska to Marvin and Bertha Ann (Melcher) Jansen. He grew up in Madison, NE and graduated from Madison High School in 1975. After high school, Shorty worked at the sale barn in Norfolk for a few years and then drove for Moore Brothers Inc. On June 13, 1981, Shorty married Jan Nitz and from this union came three children: Landon, Heather and Jenni. In 1985, the family moved to Wausa, NE and Shorty worked for Myron Kumm Farms until they moved to Coleridge, NE in 1989. Shorty then worked for Ebberson Farms for over 25 years. His last place of employment was for CD Feed Lot until his health forced him to retire. Shorty served for 28 years on the Coleridge Volunteer Fire Department and served 13 years as EMT. He served on the Coleridge Town Board and for several years he was the Beef Superintendent for the Cedar County Fair. Shorty loved working on the farm and with cattle. He loved playing cards at family gatherings and with the guys at the feedlot. He always enjoyed coffee with his friends. But above all, Shorty loved his grandchildren and followed them in all their activities.

He is survived by his three children: Landon (Shelly) Jansen, Heather (Josh) Loberg and Jenni (Justin) Bartling, all of Coleridge, NE; six grandchildren with one on the way: Colton, Jordan and Jersey Jansen, Ryleigh Loberg, Kody and Keyan Bartling; four siblings: Robert “Jack” (Margaret) Jansen of Leigh, NE, Pat (LeRoy) VonGlan of Norfolk, NE, Jean (Warren) Blank of Madison, NE and Becky Neuhalfen of Norfolk, NE; sister-in-law, Joyce Leinenweaver of Norfolk, NE; and many nieces and nephews.

Shorty was preceded in death by his parents; brother, James Jansen; and brother-in-law, Thomas Neuhalfen.