Gary W. Dahlgren

A Celebration of Life Funeral Service for Gary Dahlgren will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Hope Lutheran Church, 74094 Road 436, Smithfield, Nebraska, 68863, with Mr. Joe Wilken officiating.

The service will be livestreamed via the Hope Lutheran Church Facebook page.

Interment will follow at the Highland Cemetery at Bertrand.  A lunch for all will be served at the Hope Lutheran Church, following the burial.

Gary Wayne Dahlgren, a lifetime resident of Bertrand, Nebraska, passed away on October 27, 2024, at the age of eighty-two.

Gary was born on July 18, 1942, the second of four children born to Vernon and Mary (Ropers) Dahlgren. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Bertrand. Gary attended Bertrand Community School and graduated in 1960. During his youth he was active in 4-H for ten years and was the president of the first FFA chapter in Bertrand.

Gary and Marlene Mae Renken became high school sweethearts, and were united in marriage on October 1, 1961, at Hope Lutheran Church. Gary and Marlene built their home and raised their family northeast of Bertrand, where they lived for 63 years. As parents, they were blessed with four children: Jodene, Callan, Amber, and Shad.

Gary spent his life devoted to farming, cattle feeding, and as a Pioneer Seed representative for 29 years. Gary's passion for agriculture was shown in his leadership on the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District Board and the Agri Coop Board.  In 2022, the Dahlgren family celebrated the 140th anniversary of the original homestead.

He was preceded in death by his parents:  Vernon and Mary Dahlgren; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Freddie and Doris Renken; and four brothers-in-law:  Eldred Maaske, John McDonald, Roger Renken, Raymond Renken; and great-granddaughter Adeline Lotker.

Gary is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marlene Dahlgren of Bertrand, Nebraska; their children: Jodene Keeler and husband, Bruce of Parker, Colorado; Callan Dahlgren and wife, Shana of Bertrand, Nebraska; Amber Dahlgren and husband, Bryan Nelson of Johnson Lake, Nebraska; and Shad Dahlgren of Bertrand Nebraska; ten grandchildren:  Caprianna, Drake and Brock Keeler; Justin Dahlgren and wife Bailey, Tyler Dahlgren and wife Page, Grant Dahlgren and wife Rebecca, Bailey Funk and husband Brenden, Jordan Lotker and husband Matthew, Sydney Siekman, Samuel Siekman and wife Heather; six great-grandchildren; his brother: Robert Dahlgren and wife, Betty of Bertrand; and sisters: Judy McDonald of Kearney and Jane Tonjes and husband, Hank of Kearney, Nebraska; along with many extended relatives and friends.

A Visitation will be held on Friday, November 1, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska, with the family present.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family kindly requests memorial donations be sent to the Gary Dahlgren Memorial c/o First State Bank at 74008 C Road, Bertrand, NE 68927, and the funds will be designated to Bertrand area community projects.

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.