Gary Ray Buehner, 69, passed away at his home in Cozad, Nebraska on Saturday, September 21, 2024. Gary was born on May 10, 1955 in Gothenburg, Nebraska to Raymond and Norma (Hueftle) Buehner. He grew up on his family farm, 7 miles west of Eustis, Nebraska. He was baptized and confirmed at the United Methodist Church in Eustis. Gary graduated from Eustis Public School in 1973. He continued his education and graduated from Kearney State College, where he was a member of the Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity.
After graduation in 1977, Gary returned to Eustis, a community that he loved. He worked at Farmers State Bank, which later transitioned to First State Bank and Trust, for 32 years. He continued his career at Farmers and Merchants in Kearney, Great Western Bank in Norfolk and Holdrege, and Homestead Bank in Cozad, before retiring in 2023. Gary held many different titles in his banking career, including Branch President, Vice President, Board of Directors, Loan Officer, Senior Vice President, and Market President.
Gary was united in marriage to Laura Gronstal on June 7, 1981 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Eustis. Gary and Laura were blessed with 3 children: Angela Marie, Christopher Sean, and Amanda Jayne. Gary was always so proud of all of them. He was such a patient, supportive, and loving father who will be deeply missed.
Gary was heavily involved in his communities and always believed in giving back. If you ever needed a community key, Gary was the man you needed to find. If you couldn’t find him in the evening, he was probably down at the Fair Grounds mowing or taking care of something there. Gary was involved in the Eustis Lions Club, Eustis Chamber of Commerce, Wurst Tag Committee, Centennial Committee, Eustis Agricultural Society Inc, (formerly known as the Fair Board) in which he was secretary-treasurer for 35 years, St. John’s Lutheran Church Council Member, Eustis/Farnam School Improvement Committee, Kearney First Lutheran Church Pastor Call Committee, Kearney Sertoma Club, Kearney Lions Club, Norfolk Rotary Club, Kearney Chamber of Commerce where he was on the Executive Board, Secretary- Treasurer, and Vice Chairman. In 2011, Gary was honored by being the Grand Marshall at the Nebraska State Fair, and he also received the Aksarben Good Neighbor Award.
The number of hours that Gary volunteered in his community and church in his lifetime can never be measured. Gary had many titles throughout his volunteering and career, but his favorite title of all was Grandpa Gary! His Grandchildren that will forever miss him, the Smarties candy that he always seemed to magically have in his front pocket, and the fun they had together are Will, Evie, Lucas, Vivian, Owen, and Von.
Gary is survived by his children and their spouses; Angela and Patrick McKee of Montgomery, TX, Chris and Lindsey Buehner of Lincoln, NE, and Amanda and Andy Barner of Lincoln, NE; their mother, Laura Buehner; his mother, Norma Buehner Lauer and her husband, Roland Lauer of Cozad, NE; sisters Sharon (Roger) Bryant of Curtis and Barb (Dave) Margritz of Lexington. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews that will miss their fun Uncle Gary or “Uncle Geezer” as he was fondly called.
Gary was preceded in death by his father Raymond Buehner, his brother Gerald Buehner, father and mother-in-law, Harold and Edith Gronstal, and nephews, Patrick Blake and Bryant Keller.
Memorials are suggested to go to Eustis Fair Board Committee. Online condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Eustis with Pastor Kathy Gundell officiating. Burial will follow at East Cemetery. Visitation with family present will be Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church. Berryman Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.