Gerald G. "Jerry" Aldana

1942 - 2025

Gerald "Jerry" G. Aldana

May 9, 1942 - October 23, 2025

Gerald "Jerry" G. Aldana, age 83, of Grand Island, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Grand Island Regional Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 29, at St. Mary's Cathedral, with Father Mark Maresh as celebrant. The service will be livestreamed on the church's Facebook and YouTube channels or at www.stmarysgi.com (click "Livestream").

Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. at All Faiths Funeral Home, followed by a rosary at 7 p.m. Burial will be at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Condolences may be left at www.giallfaiths.com.

Jerry was born on May 9, 1942, in Juniata, Nebraska, to Henry N. and Guadalupe C. (Soto) Aldana. The family later made their home in Grand Island, where Jerry graduated from Grand Island Senior High in 1961.

In 1962, Jerry married Diane Walton, and together they raised three sons: Rich, Quentin, and Shayne. On April 17, 1999, he married Shannon Douglas, and together they shared 42 wonderful years filled with laughter, family, and travel - from Sturgis to Vegas to the California coast, and on yearly cruises that became beloved traditions.

Jerry's work ethic showed itself early. As a boy, he shined shoes at Pella Shoe Store and delivered newspapers around Grand Island. He later worked for Redman's and Heinzman Engineering before finding his lifelong calling as a plumber. After earning his master's license, he founded Aldana Plumbing in 1983. For more than 50 years, he proudly served his community - known not only for his skill and honesty, but for the way he helped people quietly, without fuss or fanfare.

Jerry lived life on his own terms. He was always busy, always teasing, and rarely still. Whether he was tinkering on a project, fixing something for someone else, or giving a sibling or friend a hard time, there was rarely a dull moment when Jerry was around.

He had a real sweet tooth and love of food though it had to be exactly the way he liked it. Namely, that would be a completely plain hamburger, a fresh Mexican roll, and a powdered or jelly donut picked up early on a Saturday morning. He was a fan of lunch outings at Coney Island or dinner at Tommy's but heaven help anyone who tried to pick up the check before he did. His generosity ran deep, and he gave of himself freely, expecting nothing in return.

To his grandchildren, Jerry was larger than life. He taught them to fish, to laugh, and to appreciate the little things. He was full of surprises and love, and had a way of making each of them feel like the most important person in the room. Most photos of Jerry show him doing exactly what he loved - holding a grandchild, fixing something, or taking a call for work.

We are grateful that Jerry is no longer in pain and take comfort imagining him now; perhaps mowing a perfect lawn, searching for tools in Heaven's pawn shop, and enjoying a good (plain) hamburger on the side. His steadiness, humility, and heart will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Shannon; sons, Quentin (Lynne) Aldana of Wahoo and Shayne (Stephanie) Aldana of Hastings; stepchildren, Joshua Mueller of Lawrence, KS, Jeremy (Kate) Mueller of Grand Island, Kimberly Mueller of St. Petersburg, FL, and Matthew (Allison) Mueller of Grand Island; grandchildren, Agustus, Maximilian, Austin, Lukas, Nathan, and Eli Aldana; step-grandchildren, Joe, Molly, Sam, Izzy, Dylan, Lucy, Morgan, and Declan Mueller; great-grandchildren, Jackson and Makai Aldana; siblings Felix (Pam) Aldana of Hastings, Peggy (Luis) Flores of Grand Island, and Virgie (Steve) Wheeler of Grand Island; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Richard Aldana; step-granddaughter, Gracie Mueller; and brothers, John and Henry Jr. Aldana.