Christopher S. Gellenbeck

A funeral service for PFC Christopher S. Gellenbeck will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Pastor Bryan Catherman, Pastor Ryan Durham, Chaplain Jillian Petersen, and MSG Danelle Nelson officiating. Interment will follow at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege with Military Honors provided by the United States Army National Guard Funeral Honors Team.

Christopher Shane Gellenbeck, 19 years of age, of Cairo, Nebraska, passed away on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Grand Island Regional Medical Center in Grand Island, Nebraska. Christopher was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on November 15, 2006, to Matthew E. Gellenbeck and Patricia Bannister. He graduated from Centura High School with the class of 2025. While in High School, Christopher was involved in the Robotics Club and the Centura Trap Team, where he lettered his senior year.

During his senior year, Christopher joined the Nebraska Army National Guard. Following his High School graduation, on Memorial Day, Christopher left for Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where he completed his basic training in 10 weeks. He then spent 17 weeks at Fort Eustis, Virginia, where he attended AIT and became a Chinook Helicopter Mechanic. He served his time in Bravo Company 2-135th Aviation Regiment, the Muleskinners.

With his love of the outdoors, after returning from Fort Eustis, Christopher started working for the Nebraska Game and Parks, doing maintenance at Mormon Island. An avid outdoorsman and exceptional fisherman, Christopher had a remarkable talent for finding and catching fish wherever he went.

Christopher was introduced to Motocross at five years old. He continued his love of the sport and became a member of the Nebraska Cornhusker Motocross Association, Great Plains Vintage Motocross, and American Motocross Association.

Christopher never met a stranger and had a gift for making friends wherever he went. He will be remembered most for his larger-than-life smile and the joy he brought to others.

He was preceded in death by his great-grandparents: Mildred and Harold Alexander; LTC Carl Lewis; and honorary grandparent, SN Kyle Warning.

Christopher is survived by his dad, Matthew Gellenbeck (Christine Lewis) of Cairo; step-brothers: Cole Wilson; Ethan "Bob" Wilson; step-sister, Jayci Wilson all of Cairo; grandparents: Barbara Alexander (Robert McCuiston) of Grand Island; Robert Gellenbeck (Donna) of Lakeview, Arkansas; Terry Ekberg (Lucky) of Fountain, Colorado; SSG Steve Lewis (Kay) of Haviland, Kansas; Andrea Gwynn (Robin) of Dover, Delaware; honorary grandparent, Gloria Warning; aunts and uncles: Tiffany Warning (Justin) of Holdrege; James Gellenbeck (Belinda) of Fountain, Colorado; cousins: Lindsay Hueftle (Isaac); Jordyn Warning; Wyatt Warning; Bailey (Fred) Castillo; Vicki Phillips (Dale); Sara DeLawder (Larry); and a host of other relatives, and friends.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Christopher's honor, and kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.