Gilbert Elmer Gigax

Gilbert Elmer Gigax, 93, passed away peacefully Thursday, March 14, 2019 with his family at his side. He was born on August 11, 1925 to Elmer and Alice (Cary) Gigax at their farm in Hayes County, Nebraska. He attended grades one through eight at a one room school (Swan Lake School) near his home. He graduated from Hayes County High School in 1943. He served in the U.S. Army Combat Engineers from April 1946 to October 1947. He lived his life raising a family and farming/ranching in Hayes County. He was married to Greta Jean Edghill on November 21, 1948 at the Methodist Church in Palisade, Nebraska. This union was blessed with two children; Danny and Beverly. Danny is married to Judy Pearson and his family welcomed three children; Allison Gigax, Katherine Gigax, Megan (Gigax) Burnett and one granddaughter Ruby Burnett. Beverly was married to Ken Gartrell and her family was blessed with one child; Kyle Gartrell. Kyle is married to Melissia Boydston and his family welcomed one child; Kort Gartrell. Gilbert was very active in the community. He was a lifetime member of the Union Congregational Church and served as a trustee and deacon for several terms. He was also a member of the Hayes Center American Legion Post 278, 4-H Club Leader, Hayes County Historical Society, Nebraska Wheat Growers Association, McCook Elks Lodge Post 1434, Hayes Center Commentary Board, Hayes County School Board and the Hayes Center Village Board. Gilbert retired from farming and moved to Hayes Center in 1993. He continued to raise his Angus cattle until 2005. He was preceded in death by his parents Alice and Elmer Gigax, in addition to brothers Roger, Boyd and Paul, as well as his daughter Beverly. He is survived by his wife Greta; son Danny (and wife Judy) of Estes Park, CO; grandchildren Kyle Gartrell (and wife Melissa) of Paxton, Nebraska; Allison Gigax (and Patrick Trauernicht) of Columbia, Missouri; Katherine Gigax of Denver, Colorado; Megan Gigax Burnett (and husband Clay) of St. Charles, Missouri; great grandchildren Kort Gartrell of Eaton, Colorado and Ruby Burnett of St. Charles, Missouri. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Barbara Gigax of Hayes Center, Nebraska; Patricia Gigax of Dallas, Texas; Vonda Gigax of Hayes Center, Nebraska and Ruth Bridgmon of Colorado Springs, Colorado, as well as a host of relatives and friends. Memorials may be given in his name. Memorial services will be Saturday, April 6, 2019, 11 a.m., at the United Congregational Church in Hayes Center, with Rev. Jean Miller officiating. Burial will follow in the Hayes Center Cemetery. The family would like to invite the congregation for refreshments and lunch to share memories immediately following the service at the Hayes County Fair Grounds Multipurpose Building. Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook entrusted with arrangements. Memorial Service United Congregational Church Saturday, April 6, 2019 11:00 AM 301 Hall Street Hayes Center, NE 69032 Graveside Service Hayes Center Cemetery Saturday, April 6, 2019 Rural Hayes Center Hayes Center, Nebraska 69032 Immediately following the Memorial Service with full Military Honors.