Gary Owen Petsch

PALISADE -- Gary Owen Petsch, 65, died Wednesday (July 3, 2002) at Guide Rock.

He was born April 8, 1937, to Jess and Mabel Carmen (Hill) Petsch on his family's farm near Stratton. As a young boy, he attended country school near his home, and later attended Stratton High School where he was a member of the graduating class of 1955. After high school, he attended McCook Community College.

In 1957, he married Marian Schuler at McCook. He worked as a driver for Fairmont Dairy Products for several years before returning to the farm. He was later employed as a technician for Schroeder Cattle Company near Palisade, Nebraska.

In 1979, he married Sandy Reed They later moved to Hastings, where he was employed as a driver for Herman's Cement for several years.

In the 1989, he began his employment with Enron and moved to Herndon.

On December 31, 1991, he married Vernelle (Brown) Steinke at Red Cloud. They moved to Palisade in 1992 where he continued working for Enron until his retirement in 1999.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jess and Carmen Petsch; sisters, Grace Rook and Sylvia Cobb; and brother-in-law, Paul Cobb.

Survivors include his wife, Vernelle of Palisade; daughter, Diane Petsch of Arlington, Texas; sons, Jim Petsch of Kansas City, Kan. and Dan Petsch and wife, Kimberly of Grand Island; step-children, Debra and husband, Rick Brumgardt of McCook, Jeffrey Steinke and wife, Sherry of Palisade, Rhonda and husband, Dean Hilker of McCook, Kris Steinke of San Diego, Calif.; sister, Ruth and husband, Ellis Sutton of McCook; brothers, Pete Petsch and wife, Wilma and Dave Petsch and wife, Liz, all of Guide Rock; seven grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren. Funeral services were today, 10:30 a.m., at the Christian Union Church in Stratton with Richard Stahly officiating. Interment followed services at Rose Hill Cemetery in Stratton.

Forch Funeral Chapel of Stratton is in charge of arrangements.