Gene R. Oswald

Per his wishes, no services will be held for Gene Oswald, 69, but a Celebration of Life will be held at the Cooper Community Center in Pilger, NE, on Saturday April 11, 2026 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, with Paster Lewis Miller from the Beemer Mennonite Church officiating.

Gene passed away on March 3rd, at Franciscan Healthcare Hospital in West Point NE. He was born on November 24, 1956 in West Point to Leland and Dorothy (Erb) Oswald. The family lived in rural West Point until Gene was 5 years old, they then moved to a farm west of Pilger. Gene attended country school District #16 then transferred to Stanton elementary school and graduated Stanton High School in 1975.

Gene married the love of his life Janice (Heller) from Pilger on September 10, 1977 at the Pilger Methodist Church, they were blessed with four children. Nothing brought him greater joy than his family. His grandchildren were the light of his life, and he treasured every story, laugh and memory made with them.

Gene was a strong man of faith who loved his bible and prayed for many. He had a great love for farming and the land - a calling that shaped his life and character. He found peace in long drives down gravel roads, the hum of an engine, and especially behind the wheel of his prized '67 Chevelle. He also liked to go fishing, even when he fell off the dock (not knowing how to swim!) and getting his boots full of water!

Gene was a gifted storyteller about the good old days, he loved his old time country music, always ready with a memory, a history lesson, ancestry, and he always had a bit of humor to share at just the right moment, and he had such contagious smile. He will be deeply missed by everyone.

Gene claims that he never retired and that he was still the supervisor of his operation until the end, which made Janice laugh!

Gene was the proud father of his children: Ryan (Jessica) Oswald, and children Logan and Stetson; Jennifer Oswald, and children Alyssa, Maizie and Zeplin; Kandace Oswald (Jeff Ohler), children Harrison and Royce; Jacqueline (Evan) Lamson, and children Risor, Collins and Hemsly.

He is survived by his sisters Mary Erb, Dell (Dennis) Carr and his brother Denis (Julie) Oswald.

Gene was preceded in death by his grandparents Daniel and Katheryn (Oswald) Oswald, step-mother Jennie Bellar; Albert and Agatha (Huebert) Erb; parents: Lee and Dorothy Oswald; brother Daniel Oswald Sr., and his brother-in-law Douglas Erb.

Minnick Funeral Home in Wisner is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for future designation in Gene's name.