Jerry Rodney Lahners was born November 22, 1946 to Wayne and Thelma (Leff) Lahners at Mountford Hospital in Davenport, Nebraska. He departed this life suddenly on March 1, 2024 at Republic County Hospital in Belleville, Kansas at the age of 77 years, 3 months, and 10 days. Jerry grew up on a farm south of Carleton and had 1 brother, Don. He attended Carleton grade school, and then Bruning High School where he graduated with the class of 1965. After graduation, he worked on the family farm until he joined the National Guard in March of 1966 in Hastings, Nebraska. He was activated and sent to El Paso, Texas, then sent to Fort Leonard, Missouri for Basic Training. Jerry was known as an “amazing sharpshooter.”
Jerry returned to Nebraska to farm with his dad and brother. He married Kristy Knox in 1971. To this marriage, two children were born, a daughter and a son. Jerry decided to move his family to Holly, Colorado in 1975 to try farming there. Then in 1980, they moved to California, where Jerry ran a pool cleaning business. In 1997, Jerry moved back to Nebraska to farm. He brought along his faithful dog, Libby.
In the 70’s, Jerry decided to try his hand at driving a stock car. He had a good pit crew consisting of his brother, Don, and some of his closest friends. They built a stock car with the number 8 ball on it and ran at the Beatrice Speedway where he won the track championship by a large margin in 1975. In the Fall of 2022, he was recognized by being inducted into the Beatrice Speedway Hall of Fame. He was given a checkered flag blanket and a trophy.
During the late 90’s Jerry’s good friend and classmate, Victoria, reunited him with his high school sweetheart Gail (Bruning) Lockard. While together, the two decided to farm together. They purchased farms in the Bruning and Hebron area and turned 300+ acres into organic farm ground. They became certified organic farmers. One of their crops was organic popcorn, which they shared with their friends and family.
Jerry and Gail built a beautiful home together West of Hebron, overlooking Spring Creek. They would alternate staying at their new home in Hebron and Gail’s home in Lincoln. Jerry and Gail had big dreams for the Hebron ranch. They dug a pond and stocked it with fish so their family and friends could fish, swim, and enjoy the country life. They loved it when their grandson, Miles, along with his parents, came to spend time at their farm. They both loved being grandparents.
On November 22, 2020, Jerry and Gail took time out of their busy lives to get away and get married.
Jerry and Gail had been making plans to travel to Noah’s Ark in the Kentucky/Ohio area and Sights and Sounds Theatre in Branson. But, when Gail fell ill in August of 2022, those plans changed for them.
Jerry said he wasn’t a farmer anymore; his job was to take care of Gail. And that’s what he did. Jerry retired from farming and became Gail’s full-time caretaker for the next 10 months, until the time of her death in June of 2023.
After Gail passed away, Jerry tried to fulfill some of their dreams by himself. He had gone fishing in Alaska with a friend this past summer and was planning a return trip this coming summer. He had purchased tickets to the Sights and Sounds Theatre and was planning to go with friends later this year. He had just returned from a trip with friends to Noah’s Ark in January.
While in Ohio this January, he got to spend a couple days with his daughter (Diana), son (Matthew) and their families. He was overjoyed to spend this special time with his kids and grandkids. And they were making plans to make many more memories together.
Jerry was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Hebron for the past 4 years. He was a member of the church council and the men’s bible study.
Jerry was preceded in death by the love of his life, Gail, and his parents.
Jerry is survived by his daughter Diana Gaylord of West Chester, OH and son Matthew (Alison) Lahners of Melbourne, KY; stepdaughter Katy (Ryan) Harkleroad of Portland, ME; grandchildren Scott Femino, Kali Lackey, Tiberius Lahners, and Miles Harkleroad; brother Don (Nancy) Lahners of Carleton, NE; brothers-in-law Jim (Marlene) Bruning of Canal Winchester, OH and Roger (Mary) Bruning of Lincoln, NE; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Funeral services for Jerry Lahners are Monday, March 11th at 10:00 AM at Grace Lutheran Church in Hebron, NE. Burial will be held at the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Bruning, NE following the service. A lunch will be served after the service and burial at Grace Lutheran. Visitation will be at the Price Funeral Home in Hebron, NE on Sunday, March 10th from 4:00-6:00 PM.
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