Gerald C. Meyerle Sr.

Gerald (Jerry) Charles Meyerle, Sr. passed away peacefully in Lincoln, Nebraska on January 12, 2026 at the age of 95.

Gerald was born on October 27, 1930, on the Meyerle family farm north of Holbrook, Nebraska to Charles Meyerle and Delia (Weyenberg) Meyerle. He attended grade school in a one room country school north of Holbrook and graduated from Holbrook High School in 1949.

After high school, Gerald worked with his dad, Charles, on the family farm and for other local farmers, until 1952 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. After basic training at Ft Sill, Oklahoma, he was assigned to a medical unit, stationed in Landstuhl, Germany. While there he worked in administration and achieved the rank of Corporal. Gerald was very proud of his military service. He liked to tell stories of his service and how this was the only way a kid from Holbrook would ever be able to travel and see Europe.

After his discharge from the military, Gerald returned to Holbrook to take over the family farm and begin his farming career. His sister, Lois, introduced him to a friend from McCook Community College, Lou Ann Druse, of Cambridge. Gerald and Lou Ann were married on November 21, 1959, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Cambridge. They moved to the family farm north of Holbrook, where they lived their married life and raised three boys, Jerry Jr, Michael, and Aaron. Following Lou Ann’s passing in 1993, Gerald continued to live on the family farm until August 2024 when he moved to Lincoln to be closer to his sons and their families.

Gerald was very proud to continue the farming operation on the farm his grandparents homesteaded in 1879. Many times, he would say “all I ever wanted to be, was a farmer.” In 1979, he accepted the Aksarben Pioneer Family award to honor 100 years of the Meyerle Homestead, having been passed from Grandfather (Andrew) to Father (Charles) to him.

Community service was extremely important to Gerald. He was a lifelong member of the St Germanus Catholic Church in Arapahoe, where he served as a long-time trustee and lector.

As one of the founding members of the Holbrook Lions Club, Gerald was a member for over fifty years. He was one of the members that was instrumental in establishing the Holbrook Lions Sale. He always looked forward to the annual event and when he was no longer able to assist in running the sale, he would man the popcorn popper allowing him to see longtime friends and meet new ones. In 2022, he received the MelviJones Fellowship Award. This award is the highest form of recognition for significant donations to the Lions Clubs International Foundation or for donations made in someone's honor.

Gerald served as a member of the Twin Valley’s Public Power District Board of Directors, in Cambridge for sixty years. During this time, he served as local Vice-President and President and was part of several state committees. He always enjoyed participating in state, regional and national conferences, as it took him to different parts of Nebraska and the country. These travels allowed him to make new friends and see old ones from all over the state of Nebraska and the nation. Gerald was extremely proud that upon his retirement, the Board of Directors named the new north warehouse building in Cambridge the “Gerald C. Meyerle Building”.

Later in life, Gerald became a member of the First Central Bank Board of Directors and served as Director from 1998 to 2023. He truly enjoyed being part of organizations which benefited the people and towns of Southwest Nebraska.

Gerald loved collecting vintage Fisher Price toys, owning later in life many of the toys he missed out on as a kid growing up in the 1930’s. Toy tractors and Tonka toys were a passion; he began collecting them when he started farming. It seems no farm is ever complete without having a dog as a companion. Gerald had a love of St Bernards and was lucky to have two (Barkley and Rufus) which were equally as lucky to have him. Gerald loved watching sports in person or on TV. He rarely missed a Nebraska Husker game on TV no matter the sport, and over the years had the opportunity to attend UNL football and volleyball games. Even after his sons were done competing in local sports, he and his friends would attend local high school games, with the determining factor of where to go based on which school was hosting the soup supper before the game.

At the center of his life was his family. He was extremely proud of his sons and their families and was there to support them and their ideas, always available to provide the advice and wisdom he had gained over his many years and vast experiences. His family includes Jerry Jr. of Lincoln, Mike and Stephanie of Beatrice and Aaron and Renee of Papillion, and their children, (his grandchildren), Anastasia of Grand Island, Austin of Lincoln, Andrew of Pierre, SD, Madelyn of Beatrice, Benjamin of Papillion, Carly of Beatrice and Meri Claire of Papillion. In addition, Gerald is survived by his sister, Lois Bradshaw of Kingsville, Texas.

Gerald is preceded in death by his wife, the love of his life, Lou Ann; parents Charles and Delia; and brothers Felix and Paul. Burial will be in the Miller Cemetery, north of Holbrook, where he will be laid to rest beside his wife, parents, grandparents and other members of the Meyerle Family.

The family is requesting donations be made towards either the St. Germanus Shrine in Arapahoe, as Gerald was one of the last living parishioners to hear Father Denis’ vision for the shrine, or to the Holbrook Volunteer Fire Department, for their many years of dedicated service to the community. For the services, plants would be preferred so family members can continue to memorialize Gerald’s life.

Rosary will be Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 7 PM at St. Germanus Catholic Church, Arapahoe, Nebraska. Viewing and visitation will follow from 7:30 PM to 9 PM at St. Germanus Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, January 16, 2026 at 10 AM at St. Germanus Catholic Church, in Arapahoe, Nebraska with Father Kenneth Wehr, officiating. Burial will follow at Miller Cemetery, north of Holbrook, Nebraska. Garey Funeral Home of Arapahoe, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences and personal reflections may be left at gareyfuneralhome.com