Gene W. Grabenstein

Gene Weldon Grabenstein of Eustis, Nebraska passed away Monday, July 22, 2019 at St. Luke's Assisted Living in Kearney at the age of 77.

He was born to Paul Grabenstein and Clara (Holbein) in Cozad, NE on May 13, 1942.  He was baptized on July 5, 1942, and confirmed on March 26, 1956 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Eustis, NE and was a lifelong member.  He served two terms on the Church Council in the late sixties.

He was married to Linda Witthuhn on August 1, 1971.  To this union, two children were born:  Terri and Todd.

Gene was passionate about Herefords, and was a committed volunteer for the Eustis community. He was a member of the Nebraska Hereford Association, and served as President. He hosted five Nebraska Hereford tour stops, and held 22 production sales at his ranch near Eustis, NE. In addition, he was a member of the Heart of Nebraska Hereford Association from the mid-sixties into the mid-seventies, and won several trophies over the years.

Gene was honored for his 50 years of service as a Eustis Fair Board member, and was a leader of the Rolling Meadows 4-H Club for 25 years.  He organized several horse shows for the Frontier County area held in arenas near Farnam and Eustis.

Gene was preceded in death by grandparents: Dan and Minnie Grabenstein and Christian and Marie Holbein; parents Paul and Clara Grabenstein, and sister Phyllis Svoboda.

He is survived by children Terri (David) Bierbower of Lincoln and Todd (Tricia) Grabenstein of Smithfield; grandchildren Jillian and Joel Bierbower of Lincoln, Cooper and Cailey Grabenstein of Smithfield;  siblings Lyle (Lonna) Grabenstein of Eustis, Janet (Don) Fleischmann of Cozad, brother-in-law Jon Svoboda of Elkhorn; and many other family and friends.

Online condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. Memorials are suggested to Eustis Fire and Rescue or Eustis Fair Board. Services will be Monday, July 29, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Eustis with Pastor Steve Berke officiating. Burial will follow at Eustis East Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church. Berryman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.