(Photo)

Kenneth Gigstad, 74, of Blair, Nebraska, died Wednesday, October 11, 2017, at the Memorial Community Hospital in Blair.

The funeral service will be Saturday, October 14, at 11:00 A.M. at the First Lutheran Church in Blair with Pastor Pam Ciulla officiating. Visitation will be 10:00-11:00 A.M. Saturday at the church. There will be a private family interment.

Ken was born September 20, 1943, in Alliance to Pastor Karl and Arleen (Mortensen) Gigstad. He attended Midland Lutheran College and graduated Suma Cum Laude from Nettleton Technical Institute. On September 15, 1963, Ken was united in marriage to Karen Rice in Columbus.

Ken was vice president of sales at Darland, Inc. in Omaha. Ken sold pre-engineered metal buildings for many years. He served as National President of Systems Building Association for eight years, where he also served on the National Board of directors for many years.

He was president of Rainbow Center in Columbus, president of SW Sertoma club in Omaha, served as River Cities District Governor, and received the Sertoman of the Year award. He received the SBA “Oil Can” award and was inducted into the SBA Hall of Fame and Pioneers Club. Ken also was president of the Chamber of Commerce and a 20-year Special Olympic volunteer and mentor.

He enjoyed watching NASCAR while snacking on M&M’s, Butterfingers and a Pepsi.

Ken is survived by his wife Karen Gigstad of Blair, NE; daughter Karlyn (Darnell) Huppert of Blair, NE; son Jeff (Ann) Gigstad of Red Oak, Iowa; grandchildren Allison Huppert and Landon Gigstad; brother Steve Allen of Grapevine, Texas; sisters Betty Jo (Gary) Hilferty of Arvada, Colorado, Elaine Sacco of Albany, New York, and Karleen (Bill) Brown of Buffalo, New York; and family friends Michael Stepanek of Norfolk and Michalee Hodge of Lincoln.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents Pastor Karl and Arleen Gigstad and brother Norman Gigstad.

Condolences may be sent to www.gasshaney.com.

#2-Published in the Omaha World Herald October 13, 2017

Gigstad, Kenneth Age 74 Kenneth Gigstad, of Blair, NE, died Wednesday, October 11, 2017, at the Memorial Community Hospital in Blair. Ken is survived by wife, Karen Gigstad of Blair, NE; daughter, Karlyn (Darnell) Huppert of Blair, NE; son, Jeff (Ann) Gigstad of Red Oak, IA; grandchildren, Allison Huppert, Landon Gigstad; brother, Steve Allen of Grapevine, TX; sisters: Betty Jo (Gary) Hilferty of Arvada, CO; Elaine Sacco of Albany, NY; Karleen (Bill) Brown of Buffalo, NY; family friends: Michael Stepanek of Norfolk, NE; Michalee Hodge of Lincoln, NE. Ken was preceded in death by parents, Pastor Karl and Arleen Gigstad; brother, Norman Gigstad. FUNERAL SERVICE: Saturday, October 14, 11am, at the First Lutheran Church in Blair with Pastor Pam Ciulla officiating. VISITATION: 10–11am Saturday at the church. There will be a private family interment. Condolences may be sent to: www.gasshaney.com GASS HANEY FUNERAL HOME 2109 14th St., Columbus, NE 402-564-5227

Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.