Funeral Services For John Gilsdorf

Mass of Christian Burial for John Gilsdorf, age, 97, of Bloomfield, Nebraska will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 18, 2015, at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Bloomfield, Nebraska. Reverend Michael Schmitz will be Celebrant, with burial in Bloomfield Cemetery.

Visitation will be Tuesday, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a 7:00 p.m. Wake Service at the church.

Brockhaus Funeral Home of Bloomfield is in charge of arrangements.

John died Saturday, March 14, 2015, at the Good Samaritan Society in Bloomfield, Nebraska.

John G. Gilsdorf was born January 20, 1918, to Othmar and Lena (Brandl) Gilsdorf in Lindsay, Nebraska. John was baptized into the Catholic Church at Sacred Heart Church in Cornlea, Nebraska. He went to be with the Lord on March 14, 2015 at the age of 97. 

At the age of nine, John’s family moved to Knox County, Bloomfield, Nebraska where he attended St. Andrews Catholic School and graduated from the 8th Grade. He helped his dad farm, and in 1942, began farming for himself. On January 14, 1947, he married Lena Leuenhagen at St. Andrews Catholic Church by the Rev. John Beacom. He was a lifelong member of the parish. To this union was born four daughters, Katherine, Karen, Judy, and Delores. John was a farmer through and through, and will always be remembered as the neighbor whose work wasn’t done until his neighbor’s work was done. John retired from farming in 1975, and moved to Bloomfield where he worked for Kuhl’s Implement for many years. He also managed a mobile home court and worked for farmers in the area during harvest season which he thoroughly enjoyed. John will always be remembered as a great husband, dad, grandpa, friend, and a neighbor that you could count on. He lived his entire life based on his family, his faith, and hard work. He was always proud of his family’s accomplishments.

John leaves to mourn his wife, Lena Gilsdorf; and his daughters, Katherine (Larry) Meyer, Karen (Leon) Hintz, Judy McCabe, Delores (Wendell) Strom; eight grandchildren, Chris (Tracie) Meyer, Lori (Rob) Uecker, Lisa Schmitt, Shawna Heggemeyer, Patrick (Crystal) Hintz, Nick (Kristen) Strom, Jon (Tonya) Strom, and Nate (Courtney) McCabe; 17 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren; sisters Laverna Folkers, Marjorie Krohnberg, Elva (Marvin) DeLaRoi; sister-in-law, Marian Gilsdorf; brothers, Earl (Katie) Gilsdorf, Donald (Alice June) Gilsdorf, Melvin (Barb) Gilsdorf, and Clifford (Holly) Gilsdorf; and nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors. 

He is preceded in death by his parents Othmar and Lena Gilsdorf; infant brother, Irvin; brother, Orville Gilsdorf; sister, Darlene Bratatic; and brothers-in-law, Carl Folkers, Charles Kronberg, and Richard Bratetic. 

Memorials may be designated to the family of John Gilsdorf.