V. Gayle Obermeyer

Venita ‘Gayle’ Obermeyer, 97, peacefully passed away on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at the Compassionate Journey Assisted Living Center in Evanston, Wyoming of natural causes.

A Memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at the First Congregational Church in Hartington, Nebraska with Joyce Cook officiating. Burial will be at the Hartington City Cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives one hour prior to services at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington.

The Urn Bearers are Gayle’s grandchildren:  Mickey Harrison, Misty Jensen, Mandy Erickson, Megan Hopson, Melisa Janssen, Brendon Ehlers, Brady Ehlers, Beau Ehlers, Abbey Ehlers, Brock Ehlers, Tiffany Pinkelman, Travis Pinkelman and Tina Heard.

Gayle was born August 16, 1926, to Axel and Sylvia (Russell) Anderson in Concord, Nebraska. She, along with her two younger sisters, Lila Mae (Martin) and Vandalyn (Junck) attended country school and learned the value of hardwork on the family farm. At the age of 8, her father, Axel passed away. She was 14 when her mother married Earl ‘Joe’ Anderson. Gayle was very excited when her only brother, Larry was born. She loved her stepfather “Daddy” dearly and enjoyed spending time with him and later in life with his wife, Florence. Gayle graduated from Hartington High School in 1945. She married Russell Erickson and they were the proud parents of Jacqueline Sue and Russell Leland. Sadly, in 1949, Russell died in a car accident. In 1953, Gayle married Lawrence Obermeyer at the Methodist Parsonage in Yankton, South Dakota. They were blessed with three more children, Byron Lee, Ronald Eugene and Vickie Jo. Together, they raised the happy family as one and enjoyed spending time with the families of all three grandparents, who were a remarkable influence on their grandchildren. In 1987, the family suffered a terrible loss when they lost Jackie to cancer and 6 months later, Rusty in a car related accident. Although it was a difficult time, Gayle remained strong, kept her faith, and looked ahead in a positive direction. She loved her grandchildren deeply and supported them in every possible way throughout their lives. In February of 2013, Lawrence and Gayle celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They were located in the Assisted Living at the Arbor Care Center when Lawrence passed in 2015. Gayle lived in Cedar County her entire life until she moved to Evanston, Wyoming in 2022 to be with her daughter, Vickie and family. It was a very difficult decision for her and she missed her family and friends back home. She loved them dearly and enjoyed the many cards, gifts and phone conversations. She moved to the Compassionate Journey Assisted Living where she was happy to meet new friends and care providers. She and her not so young friends reminisced about the past. They agreed that it was “lonely at the top”, “the 90’s aren’t as good as the 80’s”, “the best conversations are with people your age, although not very likely” and “why did the ‘new generation’ change breakfast, dinner, supper to breakfast, lunch, dinner…now we don’t know what we’re eating”. Gayle will be remembered for her kindness, quick wit, great cooking, strong work ethic and willingness to help others.

Gayle was a homemaker. She also enjoyed providing child care, waitressing, selling Avon and she held various positions at the Arbor Care Center in Hartington for many years. She was an avid reader. She enjoyed spending time with her family, cooking, canning the vegetables grown in the family garden, visiting with friends and neighbors on the front porch and dancing to Polka music.

Gayle was an active member of the First Congregational Church United Church of Christ in Hartington. She was a Sunday School teacher and served on various committees. She was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary for the VFW Post 5283 where she served on  committees and volunteered for many activities.

Gayle is survived by three children, Byron Obermeyer of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Ron of San Clemente, California and Vickie (Scott) Ehlers of Evanston, Wyoming; sisters, Lila Mae Martin of Palmhurst, Texas and Vandalyn Junck of Sioux City, Iowa, 13 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.

Gayle was preceded in death by her husbands Russell Erickson and Lawrence Obermeyer;  daughter, Jackie Harrison (Erickson); son-in-law Jerry Harrison; son Rusty Erickson; daughter-in-law Barbara Pinkelman; parents Axel and Sylvia Anderson; stepfather Earl ‘Joe’ Anderson; and brother Larry Anderson.