Ivan W. Gellermann

A celebration of life service for Ivan W. Gellermann will be held on Friday, February 17, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Wilcox, Nebraska with Reverend Kenton Birtell officiating. Interment will follow at the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery south of Wilcox with Military Honors provided by the Wilcox American Legion Post #377 in conjunction with the United States Army Funeral Honors Team.

The funeral service will be recorded and posted to the St. John's Lutheran Church Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100033954344066

Ivan William Gellermann, 89 years of age, of Wilcox, left this earth, on Friday, February 10, 2023, at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege, Nebraska surrounded by family. Ivan was born south of Wilcox on July 27, 1933, the second of three boys, born to William "Bill" Robert and Hilda Anna (Schepler) Gellermann. He received his education from Wilcox Public School and graduated from Wilcox High School, with the class of 1951.

Following his education, Ivan stayed and farmed in the Wilcox area. On June 29, 1954, he was inducted into the United States Army, he received his basic training in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, and was later stationed in Alaska before his honorable discharge on June 25, 1956, as a Spec 4.

On August 18, 1957, Ivan was united in marriage to Miriam Eunice Garrelts at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Holstein, Nebraska, and to this union, four children were born: Debra Lynn, Ronnie Gene, Robert John, and Richard Leroy. The couple lived in Wilcox for a year before moving to the farm south of town and in 2005 they moved back into Wilcox. Ivan worked for the Railroad from 1956-1958. He farmed and raised livestock in the local area. While farming, he also worked at the Wilcox CO-OP for 27 years and enjoyed the camaraderie with the local farmers.

Ivan enjoyed watching westerns and playing cards, he and Miriam were part of a card-playing group of couples for a long time. He loved to play Cribbage and taught all of his children and several grandchildren how to play cribbage and pitch.

He was a lifelong member of St. John's Lutheran Church, where he was baptized and confirmed, and active in the congregation. Ivan was a member of the Wilcox Legion, Wilcox Lions, and the Wilcox Rural Fire Department.

Ivan is preceded in death by his wife, Miriam Gellermann in 2010; his parents Bill and Hilda Gellermann; father and mother-in-law, Emos and Helena Garrelts; one brother Lamoine Gellermann, two brothers-in-law; Paul Garrelts; Lawrence Johnson; and one great-granddaughter, Olivia Marie Potter.

Ivan is survived by four children: Debra Farley and her husband, Jim of Wilcox; and their four children, Logan Farley (Shane Young) of Holdrege; Morgan (Bryson) Henkel, and two children of Juniata, Nebraska; SP4 Shane (Charlene) Farley and two children of Fort Drum, New York; and Triston Farley of Wilcox.

Ron and his wife, Tracey of Wilcox; and their seven children, Stephanie (Jason) McNichols and three children of Lincoln, Nebraska; Shantell (Scott) Potter and two children of Atwood, Colorado; Ashley (RJ) Wollenburg and five children of Sterling, Nebraska; Martika (Brandon) Baratta of Omaha, Nebraska; Cory (Rachel) Schmidt and two children of Lincoln; Shayla (Mo) Thamer and two children of Hastings, Nebraska; and Chantell Stover (Brad Stroup) of Guthrie, Oklahoma.

Rob and his wife, Stacia of Wilcox; and their five children, Christina Gellermann and two children of Abilene, Kansas; Amanda Gellermann (Blair McFaull) and two children of Bon Accord, Alberta, Canada; Megan Gellermann and three children of Enterprise, Kansas; John Gellermann and one child of Abilene; and Michaela Gellermann and four children of Atlantic, Iowa.

Rich and his wife, Ronda of Wilcox; and their four children, Mariah (Tyler) Alire of Douglas, Wyoming; Melissa Gellermann of Wilcox; Jeff (Sondra) Ironshell and seven children of Wilcox; and Trent (Becca) Wohlers of Lincoln.

One brother, Virgil (Colleen) Gellermann of Columbus, Nebraska; two sisters-in-law, Leah Johnson; Susan (Wayne) Brockmeier; along with a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, February 16, 2023, 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 the Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Wilcox.

A memorial has been established in Ivan's honor, and kindly suggested to the family for later designation. If you would prefer to send a plant that would be appreciated as well.

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

The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Wilcox is in charge of the arrangements.