Gary B. Kayl

Gary B. Kayl, 72, of Ponca, Nebraska passed away on March 12, 2008 in a Sioux City hospital following a brief illness.Funeral services were held Saturday, March 15, 2008 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Ponca with Father David Liewer officiating. Burial was at Calvary at South Creek Cemetery in rural Ponca, Nebraska.Gary was born on August 26, 1935 in Sioux City, Iowa, the son of Ray and Dorothy (Bennett) Kayl. He lived in Ponca and attended grade school in rural Ponca. He graduated from Heelan High School in 1953. Gary attended Wayne State College before enlisting in the United States Army and Air Force, serving his country from 1954 to 1956. While serving, Gary received the Good Conduct Medal. Gary returned to Ponca to farm, which he dearly loved. Gary also worked in the Animal Feeds Division of John Morrell for 20 years, retiring at the end of 2005. Gary was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and a member of the American Legion.Gary married Germaine (Jeri) Hegarty on November 14, 1964 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Sioux City, Iowa. Gary and Jeri resided in Ponca and together raised 8 children.Gary loved his children and grandchildren. He also loved Ponca and all of the people in Ponca. Gary enjoyed farming and helping people. He loved to visit and had a very unique sense of humor and ability to make people laugh and feel special. He was the very best dad, husband and best friend that anyone could ask for. All who met him remember something funny he said to them, or how welcome and special he made them feel. He was as nice to new people as he was to his friends. Gary loved music, radios, clocks, antiques, reading, solving complex problems, and was known by friends to be able to fix almost anything.He is survived by his wife Jeri, of 43 years, 2 sons, Dan Kayl of Elk Point, South Dakota and Mike Kayl of Council Bluffs, Iowa and 5 daughters, Ginny and her husband Scott DeBates of Gretna, Nebraska, Maureen and her husband Jeff Thompson of Brandon, South Dakota, Katie and her husband Pat Bousquet of Lincoln, Nebraska, Christine Kayl of Ponca, Nebraska and Sarah and her husband Andy McGill of Lawton, Iowa. Gary had 15 cherished grandchildren; 2 sisters, Donna and her husband Larry Lund of Ponca, Nebraska, Carol and her husband Jack Rahn of Ponca, Nebraska and 1 brother, Pat and his wife Julie Kayl of Grand Island, Nebraska. Gary had many special nieces and nephews. He also had the very best of friends and a large family that will cherish his memory always.Gary was preceded in death by his son Darrel; his parents, Ray and Dorothy Kayl; 2 brothers, Paul and Armand; 1 sister, Mary Ann and 1 nephew, Eric.The two most important things to Gary were his love for God and his love for all people. He treated everyone with dignity and respect. He was a legacy to all who knew him and will be dearly missed. We were blessed to have you, Dad. True Story.