Jerry Dean Kautz, age 79, of Culbertson, NE passed away at the Hillcrest Care Center on Monday, July 3, 2023, after a 2-year long battle with cancer. He was born in Culbertson on December 30, 1943 to Joseph and Minnie Violet (Cole) Kautz. Jerry attended school in Culbertson, graduating from Culbertson High School in 1962, he later attended McCook Community College and Kearney State College. Jerry served his country in the United States Army National Guard from June 1968 until his honorable discharge February 5, 1975.
Jerry returned to the family farm in Culbertson after the army. On February 13, 1968, he was united in marriage to Nancy Herman. To this union, four children were born: Monica, Levi, Christopher, and Justin. He continued to farm and ranch in Culbertson. He still had cattle from the blood line established by his family in the 1880’s. He also raised a herd of buffalo. Jerry was a classic car enthusiast and had a 1967 Mustang, a 1968 Corvette and a pair of 1955 Chevys. He passed his love and passion for cars onto his sons. Jerry also loved motorcycles, one of which he gave Nancy a ride on when they first met, and the rest is history.
Jerry was very appreciative of his granddaughter, Gabriel Pearson and great grandchildren, Luke Dean (named after Jerry) and Addison for staying and helping during his last stage of life.
Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Kautz (2021); sister-in-law, Julie Mockery; and his parents, Joseph and Minnie Violet Kautz.
Jerry is survived by his three sons, Levi (Loralee) Kautz of Bennett, CO, Christopher (Kelli) Kautz of Norfolk, NE, Justin (Chara) Kautz of Castle Rock, CO, and daughter, Monica Beckett of Baltimore, MD; ten grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; brothers, DeWayne (Gloria) Kautz of Culbertson, NE, Roger (Devi) Kautz of Boulder, CO, Donald Kautz of Denver, CO; and sister, Joyce Raulston (Lemoine) of Simpsonville, SC.
Funeral Services will be Friday July 7, 2023, at 10:30 AM at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel, McCook with Chaplain Tyler Thiessen officiating. Interment will be in the Culbertson Cemetery with Military Honors. Visitation will be held at the Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel on Thursday, July 6, 2023 from 10:00 AM until 7:00 PM. The family will be present from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM to greet friends. Memorials may be left to either the McCook Home Healthcare Community Hospice or the Culbertson Ambulance. Friends may leave online condolences at herrmannfh.com. Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel is entrusted with arrangements.