Gary L. Bolek was born on May 21, 1948 in Rushville, Nebraska to Joe and Edna Bolek. He was the baby at number 11. He died May 26, 2023 at his feedlot doing what he loved.
Gary grew up in the Sandhills of Nebraska. He graduated from Rushville High School in 1966. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and was inducted September 20, 1966. After serving 2 years including a one year tour of duty in Vietnam he was honorably discharged in September 1968. While in Vietnam he earned the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Marksman Badge (Rifle M-14.)
Gary married Vikki Vogel on May 31, 1969. To this union 4 children were born, Tara, Bradley, Lacey and Bridget.
Gary worked for the Kansas-Nebraska Gas Company after his marriage for 3 years. Then he went into farming with his father-in-law, Leonard Vogel. He was awarded the Jaycees Outstanding Farmer/Rancher in 1973.
After farming for a few years, he decided it was time to start feeding cattle. He gradually fed a few cattle at various locations until 1981 when it became a full-fledged project. He would feed the cattle to fat, and could guess their weight within 10 pounds and know when they were ready to be marketed. To the day of his death he was still feeding the cattle at the feedlot.
Gary always had a passion for beautiful growing crops, the feedlot full of nice fat cattle and pride in the look of his feedlot. He hated the water but loved to fish even though he didn’t take the time to do it. He was looking forward to fishing with his grandson Dion after retirement which was coming within 2 months. As for what kind of husband, father or grandfather he was, just ask his wife, children and grandchildren as he was loved and respected so much.
He is survived by his wife, Vikki of 54 years, his daughters, Tara (Ken) Gibson of Alliance, Lacey (Kyle) Kugler of Parker, CO, Bridget (Aaron) Tupa of Lincoln, NE and his son, Bradley Bolek of Hay Springs. He is also survived by his grandsons, Dion Gibson, Aiden Bolek, Atley Bolek and Teegan Tupa, his granddaughters, Sierra Gibson (Sam Bartek), Madison Gibson, Emily (Doug) Finney, Brextyn Bolek, Braekli Bolek, Larkin Tupa and Bellamy Tupa, his great-grandchildren, Amelia Gibson and Couric Bartek, his step-grandchildren, Justin (Candice) Gibson, Mike (Keri) Gibson, Branden (Winter) Gibson, Valoree (Chris) Schmidt, Chris (Kyren) Gibson and their families. He is also survived by his brothers, Richard (Carolyn) Bolek, Joe (Judy) Bolek and Lynn Bolek and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Dewayne, Larry, Melvin, Jerry and Harold, his sisters, Judy Taylor and Pat Bauer.
Memorial services will be Monday, June 5 at 2:00 p.m. at the Bates-Gould Chapel. Burial will be at the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery with full military honors. Dinner will follow at the Westside Event Center. Memorials may be given to the Hemingford Volunteer Firefighters Association, Local VFW or American Legion.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.