Gary Spilger

1932 - 2022

ST. PAUL - Gary A. Spilger, 90, of St. Paul, died with his loving family by his side, on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at the Howard County Medical Center in St. Paul after battling chronic kidney disease for over a year.
A celebration of Gary's life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at GI Free Church, 2609 S. Blaine St. in Grand Island. Private graveside services will be at the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul.
To honor his wishes, a private family visitation will be at Jacobsen-Greenway-Dietz Funeral Home in St. Paul. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Gideon's International.
Gary Albert Spilger was born Aug. 13, 1932, in the family home west of Palmer, the son of Paul P. Spilger and Anna M. (Glause) Spilger.
Gary attended District 19 grade school in Gage Valley near Palmer and Palmer High School and graduated from St. Paul High School in 1949.
On May 19, 1951, Gary married Bettie A. Zmek in Palmer, and they lived in the St. Paul area all their married life; they were engaged in farming, raising Angus cattle and hogs. He was an avid collector of antique barb wire and buggy and carriage steps. Gary was a member of the American Barb Wire Society. His collection of 2,400 different types of barb wire is on display in the Barb Wire Museum in LaCrosse, Kan.
In the early 1960s, Gary and Bettie put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ and this decision to become a follower of Jesus Christ colored the rest of their lives. When the opportunity presented itself, he gladly would share his faith with others, leaving a legacy of faith.
Gary is survived by his wife, Bettie; their three children and their spouses, Robert and Paula Spilger of Marshalltown, Iowa, Gayle and Arnold Moody of Scotia and Jill and Dave Sharman of Palmer; seven grandchildren, 18 great-grandc-
hildren and one great-great-grandchild; his siblings and their spouses, Gilbert and Betty Spilger and Connie Jensen, all of Grand Island, Kathy and Larry Hermsmeyer of Alliance and Kenneth and Beth Spilger of St. Louis, Mo.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.jacobsengreenway.com