Gerald “Gary” Nichelson, age 68, our beloved husband, father, son, brother, cousin, and friend died on October 19, 2022. The second child of Donald and Bessie Nichelson, he was born on October 2, 1954. He attended North Platte Public Schools and was a member of the Class of 1973.
Gary worked as a newspaper delivery boy at a very young age, after that, a dishwasher at Trailways Bus Station and Tomahawk Truck Stop. (There are many good stories about those days). He then went on to work at Central Nebraska Packing Company with his dad for a short time. At age 20, he started work with the Union Pacific Railroad, retiring after 40 years of service at age 60. He was proud of his railroad career and was local chairman of the International Brotherhood of Fireman and Oilers for many years. During his railroad years, he was furloughed off and on, and did other jobs during those times to make ends meet. He worked for Nebraska Public Power District during some shutdowns, the City of North Platte Parks Department, and even part time at a liquor store.
Gary met DiAnn Pecenka on the street by her house on Vine Street in the summer of 1971. She was walking the family dog and Gary spoke to her. She never told him where she lived, but he drove around the next day looking for her. She just happened to be outside that home on Vine Street, so he visited some more. They were married at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in North Platte in 1974. They shared many years of being together with friends and family.
Gary enjoyed Halloween parties, family dinners, ski trips, and convention trips for the Union. He loved his mother's cooking, especially prime rib. He loved to fish, hunt, and camp. His parents were the camp hosts at Lake Maloney for several years, so along with his older sister, Linda, and younger brother, Mark, they had many fun times around the water, a campfire, or playing cards in the camper. He loved the Huskers, both Football and Volleyball. Gary also kept track of all the college and NFL games on a weekly basis. His favorite NFL teams were the Raider's, the Titan's, and whomever Tom Brady played for. Gary loved tailgating in Lincoln or at home for Husker games, always making "husker dip" for every home game! Gary also enjoyed car racing, Tony Stewart and team being a favorite. He loved watching car races on TV and at the Lincoln County Raceway, Beatrice Raceway, I-80 Raceway, and especially going to the finals in Boone, Iowa. He always looked forward to Czech Days in Wilber, Nebraska and July 4th was always a huge celebration as well.
He loved caring for the environment, picking up trash in Cody Park on his walks, recycling any way he could, and doing miles of trash walks for Keep North Platte and Lincoln County Beautiful. He just recently received an award for being one of the best people in the state to beautify, reuse, and clean up the environment. He also loved cats, including a homeless cat that has been coming around for 6 months, who by the way, does not like DiAnn.....yet. He may have to if he wants to eat!
Gary was a convert to the Catholic Faith in 1974 and a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in North Platte. Gary truly knew what God can and cannot do. He always said that God knows what He is doing, and that we do not know God's plans. He knew God will always take care of us. He did many events at St. Patrick's Church, just last Sunday helping do dishes for the monthly brunch.
Among Gary's best achievements, and probably the one he was most proud of was having a son in 1987. The best thing to ever happen to him, being a parent to a good son and one who would take him so many places over the course of a lifetime, and especially after retiring! Little did Gary know that Ian had plans for him. In school, Ian kept his parents busy with academics, homework, football, soccer, snake hunting, and many events and travels with Boy Scout Troop 292. Then, in recent years, in the ways of cooking, smoking for BBQ'S, entering BBQ contests, caterings, chopping wood, making breakfast burritos, going over countless lists of CDs and making lists of music, going to concerts, more camping, late nights visiting out on their deck with family and friends, cooking for St. Pat's Football team, St. Pat's Church functions, gun club, American Legion and his whole family. He had a son who all of a sudden kept him way busier than his job at the railroad. They also watched several football games and sat by many late-night fires. The love for his son was so passionate. That all came to an end just two years ago when Ian suddenly passed away. These last two years had been very hard to navigate, and when Gary found out he had cancer, it was not easy to accept. But he did, and he tried the best he could to go on. He knew that he needed to do what God wanted him to do. Gary was most proud of Ian and his accomplishments.
Gary was a kind and loving husband, a good son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend to so many. He always did what he thought was the right thing. Gary was always a great listener, and so understanding. Gary was supportive of whatever his son and wife tried to do in their lives, always letting them make the decision of what to do but letting them know if it did not work out, that was ok too. One thing Gary did not like to do was lose "Sequence", a game so loved by all the family that a tournament is held every Thanksgiving. He had a wonderful sense of humor, but you knew when he lost in "Sequence".
Gary participated in many organizations, including the local 403 Functions, many German- American Club events, the Eagles Club, and the Lincoln County Democrats, the Union Pacific Club and RSVP.
Gary also loved listening to 98.5, The Hawk, and requesting songs on the LunchBox Hour with Tanner Struckman and Nathan Epley. He was looking forward to possibly being the 2000th person to request a song.
Gary also had a Railroad coffee club, made up of retired railroaders who got together for breakfast every other Wednesday. (There are some good stories there too). He also got together on Thursday afternoons with cousins and brother, Mark. (More good stories).
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; and his only son, Ian Miles.
Those left to cherish this wonderful life are his wife, DiAnn; his sister, Linda, of North Platte, NE; his brother, Mark (Sharon), of North Platte, NE and their son, Billy (Ashley), of Omaha, NE; sister-in-law, JoJo (Cory) Jensen and their children, Rebecka (Cole) Mossman, of Cocoa, Florida, James Jensen, of North Platte, NE, and Matthew (Shanna) Jensen, of Wayne, NE; brothers-in-law, Michael (Cindy) Pecenka and their children, Adam (Angelese) and Aaron, all of Hendersonville, TN, Francis (Dawn) Pecenka and their children, Shelby, AJ (Cidney) Freeze and Stephanie House, all of Lincoln, NE; best friend, Greg McGinn, of North Platte, NE; numerous other cousins and relatives; and special cousin, Randy Nichelson, who did so much these last few months with Gary.
Gary would be thanking each and every person who crossed his path in this life. He loved you all. He embraced life as we all should. His life was full, busy and rewarding.
We know he is enjoying the rewards of Heaven and is so glad to be reunited with his son, parents, grandparents and so many others.
Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick's Catholic Church or Keep North Platte Lincoln County Beautiful. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 28, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in North Platte, NE with Father Jon Sorenson as officiant. Inurnment will follow at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens in North Platte.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. and a rosary will be on Thursday, October 27, 2022, at 7 p.m., both at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home in North Platte.
Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.