Gerald Joseph "Jerry" Abler

1932 - 2025

Gerald "Jerry" Joseph Abler

August 26, 1932 - October 15, 2025

Gerald "Jerry" Joseph Abler, 93, died on October 15, 2025, at Oxbow Living Center in Ashland, Nebraska, surrounded by his family. Jerry was the husband of Elizabeth "Betty" Kirby. They shared 69 years of marriage together.

Born in Peetz, Colorado, on August 26, 1932, Jerry was the son of Joseph "Joe" Abler and Magdalena "Lena" Fuchs. He graduated from Pierce High School in 1950. After graduation, he drove a semi for Abler Transfer until he enlisted in the army. He served two years in the United States Army in the 934th Aviation group as both a typist and an accident investigator while serving in Korea. He returned to the family homestead west of Pierce to farm with his dad and brother, Maynard. He married Betty in 1956 and continued to farm. Jerry began working in 1989 as a maintenance man for Pierce Public Schools until his retirement in 2000. He took pride in the appearance of their homestead, which resulted in winning the Most Beautiful Farmstead award in Pierce County and the One Hundred Year Homestead Award. The couple moved to Wahoo in April 2008 and to Oxbow Living Center in Ashland in 2025.

Jerry led an active role in the community. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus, VFW, American Legion, school board, and the Foresters Club. He taught RCIA, attended many Christians Encounter Christ weekends, and was also a TeamMates mentor. Throughout the years, Jerry enjoyed playing cards, spending time with his family, square dancing, and bowling. He is remembered for his quick wit and gentle nature, and was loved by everyone who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Betty; his children, Byron (Jenice) Abler, Joan (Bradford) Nelson, David Abler, Marie (John) Washburn, Terese (Gary) Brown, Joseph Abler, Steven (Jenny) Abler, and Kathi (David) Faith; his siblings, Eileen Koehn, Eugene (Sharon) Abler, and Carolyn Hoglund; sister-in-law, Jacque Abler; 20 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren (with more coming), and countless nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Lena Abler; siblings, Lorraine (Robert) German and Maynard Abler; and brothers-in-law, Dale Koehn and J. Thomas Hoglund.

Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 10 a.m. at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, 214 E. 2nd St., Wahoo, NE. Concelebrants, Fr. Jeffrey Eickhoff and Fr. Charles Townsend.

Visitation was held Monday, October 20, 2025, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., with a 6:30 p.m. Knights of Columbus Rosary all at Church.

Interment at St. Francis Cemetery, Wahoo, NE.

Military Honors by U.S. National Guard, American Legion Post #82 & VFW Post #4502.

Memorials in care of the family for future designation.

Visit www.marcysvoboda.com to leave condolences.

Arrangements by Svoboda Funeral Home, Wahoo, NE.