Gary M Yost

Memorial Services for Gary M. Yost will be conducted from the Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Murray Jones and Pastor Paul Bauman officiating. Interment will be held prior to Memorial Services at the Fort McPherson National Cemetery, south of Maxwell, Nebraska at 10:00 a.m.

Gary Michael Yost, 78 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Friday, June 15, 2012 at Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege, Nebraska. Gary was born on July 1, 1933 on the family farm near Harvard, Nebraska the youngest of nine children born to Rupert Philip and Ellen (Krug) Yost. He graduated from Harvard High School, with the Class of 1951.

Gary was inducted into the United States Army on October 2, 1953. After serving in the US Army, Gary pursued higher education at Nebraska Wesleyan University and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education in 1958. Gary later earned his Master's degree in Music Education in 1970 from Kearney State College.

Gary was united in marriage to Eileen Marie Wolfe on June 16, 1957. They raised two children: Steve and Nancy.

Gary taught music in public schools in Fullerton, Holdrege, Orleans, Holbrook, and Funk, Nebraska, and most recently at All Saints Catholic School in Holdrege. He was also an office supply salesman before he and Eileen owned and managed Treasures of the Heart, a Christian book and gift store in Holdrege. Over fifteen years the store expanded across three locations and brought Gary much joy as he ministered alongside Eileen to the local community. Passionate for guiding people in their worship of God, Gary served as voluntary choir director and worship leader in churches in Lincoln, Fullerton and Holdrege spanning four decades.

Gary served as chaplain of the local Gideons International chapter, meeting regularly for Bible study and prayer, assisted in scripture distribution, and was worship leader at the Gideons State Convention. At the age of 62, he was a short-term Christian missionary in Leninogorsk, Russia, helping to plant a new church and leading worship.

He invested deeply in the lives of his grandchildren, traveling often to attend their activities, as well as teaching them to fish, play music, and love their Lord. His enthusiasm for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, the Chicago Cubs, and the UNK Lopers, was contagious across his family and friends.

In the past seven months, God allowed Gary to have the strength to participate in the weddings of both Bailey and Tanner, welcoming his two great-grandchildren, Chandler and Brooklynn, and as he served as special guest soloist accompanied by the reunion of the Christ Community Church Choir and Orchestra in Omaha, along with numerous other family activities.

His love for his Savior, Jesus Christ, was preeminent in all he did in his adult life, and those around him were consistently encouraged by the love he showed to all.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters: Verdell Hooe and her husband, Mervin, Ruth Scheele and her husband, Art; four brothers: James Yost, William Yost and his wife, Beth, Milton Yost and his wife, Janet, Robert Yost; and brother-in-law, Edie Bruntz.

Gary is survived by his wife of 55 years, Eileen; son, Steve Yost and his wife, Timaree of Omaha; daughter, Nancy Huckabee and her husband, Mike of Lincoln; along with eight grandchildren: Simon, Micah, Noah, Christian, Tyler, Tanner, Bailey and Emily; two great-grandchildren: Chandler and Brooklynn; two sisters: Bonna Lee Casey and her husband, James of Lincoln, Dorothy Bruntz of Hastings; three sisters-in-law; one brother-in-law; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 19, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in his memory or may be made to the Gideons International.

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.