Gerald C. "Jud" Gesiriech

Gerald C. "Jud" Gesiriech, of Newport, passed away on May 28, 2011, at the Parkside Manor in Stuart.

Funeral Services were held on Friday, June 3, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Basset with Pastor Bonnie Forney officiating the service. Music was provided by Jo Anne Swanson and Milton Owens.

Pallbearers were David Owens, David Pape, Tim Gesiriech, John Maki, Steve Gesiriech, John Gesiriech, Brian Williams, Mike Gesiriech and Alex Shook. Honorary Pallbearers were Clayton Fox, Floyd Fox, Marvin Dorsey, Bob Gilg, Lloyd Stolcpart, Bob Greenfield, Jim Keller, Colby Sybrant, Justin Sybrant, Dr. Jay Allison, Keith Allison and other friends.

Burial was held at the Stuart Cemetery with full military honors provided by the Bassett American Legion Post #123.

Gerald Claire Gesiriech was born on August 22, 1925, at the family ranch south of Newport to John F. and Goldie M, (Dorsey) Gesiriech.

Gerald was sixth of twelve children. He attended Garden Valley rural school, District #21 and graduated from Rock County High School in 1943. Gerald was inducted into the United States Army on September 23,1944. He received basic training in Fort Hood, Texas and was shipped to Okinawa. After 75 days, he received life threatening injuries and was eventually transferred to the hospital ship, Tranquility. He received the Purple Heart and was sent to Fitzsimmons Medical Center in Denver, CO. He was discharged on January 18, 1946. He also received the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, WWII Victory Medal, American Theater, Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Infantryman's Badge.

After returning to ranching, he spent his life as a rancher. After his father's retirement, he developed a herd of prize winning, registered Herefords. He later changed to raising Angus cattle when the market changed.

On December 30, 1988, he married Anita Allison. She preceded him in death on November 22, 2002. He was a member of the Bassett VFW, the American Legion Post #123, Newport Tire Department, Nebraska Farm Bureau and the Nebraska Hereford Association. Gerald was known affectionately to his many nieces and nephews as their beloved "Uncle Jud."

He is survived by brothers, Wayne Gesireich and wife Suzanne, Charles Rollin Gesiriech, Harley Gesiriech and wife Jan; sisters, Philomnia Pape, Jacqulyn Owens and husband Milton and Carol Edmunds and husband Niel; step-children, Janet Lingenfelter and husband Rick, Keith Allison, Lona Allison, Jay Allison and wife Lynelle; and many step-grandchildren, friends, and caregivers, Lana Micheel and Phyllis Baker.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; brother, John Lavern; sisters, Lola Gesiriech, Marilyn Gesiriech, Goldeen Williams and husband Gus and Faye Maki and husband Bill; brother-in-law, Robert O. Pape; sister-in-law, Joyce Gesiriech; niece, Janet Williams Nelson and nephew, Robert D. Pape.

Memorials were suggested to the Rock County Foundation, John and Goldie Gesiriech Family Scholarship Fund, AseraCare Hospice, Newport Community Center Fund, the Newport Fire Hall Fund or to the Disabled Veterans.