(photo) (veteran)

Gary was born on June 15, 1947 in Council Bluffs, Iowa to Harold and Jeannette (Sluyter) Beckner. He passed away Monday, July 18, 2022 at his home in Blair at the age of 75.

Gary graduated from Underwood High School in 1965 and then worked for U.P. Railroad in Wyoming as a signalman.

He was drafted into the Army in 1966 and served until 1968 as a teletype operator. He qualified as an expert marksman with rifle and earned a National Defense Service Metal.

He married Susan Schlueter on June 7, 1969 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Palmer, NE. After marriage, Gary attended Hastings Tech for auto body mechanics. He then opened his business in St. Paul, NE where he worked as an auto body mechanic.

Gary had a gift for attention to detail, especially when it came to painting vehicles. He worked long-hours and would make sure the job was done right. As a perfectionist, he would be self-conscience at a level to always make sure the customer was satisfied. He could always fix it and make it right. And if you were a close friend or family member, he would do it at a very reasonable cost & would invite you back for a few drinks to discuss it later.

He not only made them look good, but he also had a high level of auto mechanic skills. He kept all the vehicles running, whether he had to replace an engine or replace the brakes, he could do it all. He even had to work on his vehicle the day before his wedding. He had a bit of a temper, so when a wrench slipped, cutting his forehead, he said a few choice words and wasted no time trading his Chevelle in for a smooth running Dodge, just in time for wedding day.

He loved his family & kept them close and humble. He would make you feel proud & significant one moment, but then self-conscious the next; especially when you didn’t quite see it or do it his way. He would argue as if it was his God given talent, especially if his dad, Harold, brother Harold, brother Ted or son Randy were at the other end of the conversation. Gary was always right, just remember that.

He was also very patriotic. He would be proud to see your flag displayed outside your home, and then kept it real by saying, “But a light needs to shine on that at nighttime, and replace that flag when it gets faded and torn”. He taught his son Randy everything he knew about rifles and the skills he developed in the military. His daughter, Bonny, also became familiar with guns at an early age. Rifle and pistol target shooting became family bonding time and was enjoyed at almost every gathering and holiday, even Christmas, as long as it wasn’t too cold.

Gary was a bit of a risk taker. He loved fast cars, motorcycles and he even broke a horse. Pepper was her name and we have photos of the two of them as upright as a flag pole. She reared up to her heart’s desire but learned quickly that your life is easier when you just do as Gary says. In his earlier years, there was a horse named Rowdy. Rowdy was fast and could beat a car in a quarter mile. Gary’s stories were very convincing, so no need to question their authenticity. The risk taking moments didn’t end with the horseback rides. He’d take you on a ride on his motorcycle or classic car and if things got a bit scary as maybe witnessed by the expression on your face, he’d just laugh & have a look as if to say, “but did we die??” and ride on. That was Gary.

As much as Gary liked horseback riding, trail riding, etc, the Harley Davidson motorcycles were his pride and joy. He worked on them and rode them countless miles. He had many of them and loved them all equally. He rode to the Sturgis bike rally many times, either with friends or family, Sue on the back or son Randy by his side. He enjoyed every windy, rainy, bike break-down experience he had. The unfortunate events sure made good stories.

Gary and Sue experienced many adventures together in their 53 years of marriage; whether it was their move to Arizona, their move back to Nebraska to be with their grandkids, trips to South Dakota, Missouri, etc., so many memories were made. Gary truly enjoyed his adventure with Sue, his family and friends.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Judy Beckner and Jeannette Crom.

Survivors include his wife, Sue; his son Randy Beckner of Blair, NE; daughter, Bonny (Eric) Markgraf of Grand Island, NE; four grandchildren: Randy Beckner, Jr., Zachary Beckner, Jared Markgraf and Jamie Markgraf; two brothers: Harold Beckner and Maxine (Hall) Beckner of Clear Lake, IA and Ted and Sue (Schold) Beckner of Oakland, NE and their families.

“Celebrate my life, don’t mourn my death” –Gary

There will be a “Celebration of His Life” party for Gary on August 13th from 1:00-5:00 at Twin Loup Quality Meats in St. Paul, NE.

There will be a 20 minute presentation at the Omaha National Cemetery on July 29th at 10:00 a.m. There will be no funeral services at Gary’s request.

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

FindaGrave #241777670