Michael J. "Mike" Gardels

Private Family Funeral Services for Michael J. "Mike" Gardels will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Wilcox, Nebraska with Pastor Nathan Abel officiating.  Interment will be held in the St. John's Cemetery, south of Wilcox.  The funeral service will be live-streamed at stjohnslutheranwilcox.org.

Due to current health restrictions with the COVID-19 pandemic, an additional Celebration of Life will be scheduled for the public at a later date.

Michael "Mike" John Gardels, 64 years of age, of rural Wilcox, died Saturday, April 11, 2020, at the CHI Health-Good Samaritan in Kearney, Nebraska.  He was born March 18, 1956, in Holdrege, Nebraska, the eldest of four children to Gayle and Lois (Christensen) Gardels, and grew up on the family farm outside of Wilcox.  He attended Wilcox Public School, and graduated with the class of 1974.  Mike also attended one year of college at Kearney State College before he decided to pursue his lifelong career of farming and ranching near Wilcox.  It was at Kearney State that he met Pamela Jean Hansen and they haven't parted since.  Mike and Pam were united in marriage on January 17, 1976, in Minden, Nebraska.  The couple were blessed with four children:  Melissa Jo in 1979; Brett Michael in 1982; Miranda Jean in 1986; and Nathan Brett in 1990.

Mike was a lifelong member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Wilcox.  He served the church in numerous ways, but the care of the church's cemetery was his favorite.  His greatest joys were his children and grandchildren; of whom he was very proud.  Many will miss his booming voice, and sense of humor.  He was always ready with a joke, and generally felt like he was the funniest guy around.

Mike was preceded in death by his father, Gayle; his son, Brett; father-in-law, Neil Hansen; and nephew, Chase Gardels.

Mike leaves to mourn; his wife of 44 years, Pam Gardels of rural Wilcox; his mother, Lois Gardels of Kearney; two daughters:  Melissa Bell and her husband, John of Gothenburg, Nebraska; and Miranda Obermeier and her husband, Andrew of Kearney; his son, Nathan Gardels and his fiancé, Breanna Korus of Omaha, Nebraska; four grandchildren: Ruby Bell; Peri "Scout" Bell; Jay Bell; and Charlie Obermeier; two brothers:  Kirk Gardels and his wife, Shawna; and Brad Gardels and his wife, Tawna all of Wilcox; one sister, Trish Bell and her husband, Neil of Lincoln, Nebraska; and his mother-in-law, Lois Hansen of Minden, Nebraska. In addition, he was also survived by sisters-in-law:  Sandi Lewis and her husband, Charles of Lincoln; Char Rogers and her husband, Cal of Lincoln; and Paula Hulke and her husband, Kevin of Wyoming, Iowa; brother-in-law, Brian Hansen and his wife, Kris of Arvada, Colorado; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A memorial has been established in Mike's honor, and kindly suggested to the St. John's Lutheran Church in Wilcox.

Expressions of caring 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.