Randy M. Secrest

Celebration of Life Services for Randy M. Secrest will be held on Monday, November 16, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. at Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church, in rural Smithfield, Nebraska with Rev. Daniel Landin officiating.  A Private Family Inurnment will be at a later date at the Gordon Cemetery, Gordon, Nebraska. The service will be live streamed via the Hope Evangelical Church Facebook page at facebook.com/HopeLutheranChurchSmithfield.

Due to health concerns, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic; current CDC and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for Faith-Based Services and Gatherings will be followed.  The Secrest family sincerely encourages each person to make their decision whether to attend Randy's services, based on the best interest of your health, and that of your community.

Randy Marshal Secrest, 70 years of age, of Bertrand, Nebraska, passed away on Thursday, November 5, 2020, at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege, Nebraska.  Randy was born on August 19, 1950, in Gordon, Nebraska, the second of two sons born to Archie and Vera (Wolkins) Secrest. He received his primary education from a rural school in the sandhills of Cherry County and later graduated from Gordon High School with the class of 1968.

On August 21, 1982, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Martha "Marty" Trumble and to this union the couple were blessed with three children: Bo, Jessica, and Kacy. After years of working in feed yards in Texas, New Mexico, South Dakota and Nebraska, the family made their home in Bertrand. Randy continued to work in the feed yards, and later retired from WCG Feeders near Funk, Nebraska.

Randy's life revolved around horses, cattle and rodeoing. When Randy and Marty were first married, they made their home in Hereford, Texas, where Randy worked at a feed yard that also had rough stock. Their weekends were usually spent hauling the rough stock to area rodeos. At these rodeos you would find Randy picking up contestants like Lane Frost and Tuff Hedeman, while sitting atop his favorite and best pick up horse, Luke. During the off season you could see these same boys in the corrals across from their house with Randy running the livestock and helping the boys practice their riding. Randy was a true cowboy through and through.

Randy was also an avid sports fan, yet above all his family was his pride and joy. He enjoyed attending his children's sporting events and was always their #1 fan. When Randy wasn't watching sports on T.V., he would enjoy watching his grandkids do cartwheels and chase each other around outside of his window at the nursing home.

Randy was always known for his quick wit, useless knowledge, and always had an answer for everything. His story telling was second to none, you could never be in his presence without hearing a tale.

Randy was preceded in death by his parents.

Randy leaves to celebrate his life; his wife, Marty Secrest of Bertrand; his children:  J.D. Secrest of San Diego, California; Bo Secrest and his wife, Joanna of Rapid City, South Dakota; Jessica Sadd and her husband, Bryce of Elm Creek, Nebraska; and Kacy VanSlyke and her husband, Mark of Kearney, Nebraska; nine grandchildren: Kael, Lucy and Macy Secrest; Hannah and Madison Sadd; and Fayth, Kinsey, Weston and Barrett VanSlyke; one brother, Wynn Secrest and his wife, Caroline of Hereford, Texas; sisters-in-law: Susan Kirkpatrick and her husband, Dennis of Highland Ranch, Colorado; Karen Tucker and her husband, John of Greeley, Colorado; and Deborah Trumble-Herrea of Georgetown, Texas; brother-in-law, Fr. John Trumble and his wife, becky of Tiffin, Ohio; along with a host of nieces and nephews.

There will be no visitation, the family is honoring Randy's wish for cremation.

A memorial has been established in Randy'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.