(picture)

Thomas C. Gammel, 68, of Tekamah, died Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013, at Memorial Community Hospital in Blair. Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at the Tekamah Auditorium. Interment will be in the Tekamah Cemetery. Visitation will be noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the auditorium.

Thomas Charles Gammel was born May 3, 1945, in Blair to Paul M. and Helen (Wilson) Gammel.

He attended Tekamah High School.

In 1962, he married Diane Hennig in Pender. They had two children and lived on the bottom land east of Herman.

He married Helen Conradson in 1972 at Vermillion, S.D. They had five children and lived on the Tekamah bottom land, where he continued farming until late 1980.

Hobbies in his younger years included fishing, hunting, riding snow mobiles, racing and pulling three-wheelers.

In 1989, he began his trucking career, driving over the road for many years. He recently hauled grain for local farmers.

Mr. Gammel loved his old tractors, spending time with his kids and grandkids, going to the lake for Sunday breakfast and having coffee at the Pumpkin Patch. He loved the 4th of July and always had a big gathering at the farm with food, family and friends.

He is survived by his longtime companions, Judith Harris, and dog, Bella; daughter and son-in-law, Denise and Carey Reed of Omaha; sons and daughters-in-law: Matt and Rhonda Gammel of Decatur, Tyler Gammel and Lisa McKee of Omaha, Gregory and Jeanine Gammel of Craig, Scott Gammel and Nickie Robinson of Tekamah, Brian Gammel and Amanda Keenan and Phillip Gammel of Omaha; stepchildren, Stephanie and Michael Jones of Tekamah, Jay and Wendy Harris of Omaha, Nicole Harris of Jacksonville, Fla.; 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; sisters Jean Gammel and Don Neary and Dian Gammel Nelson of Tekamah; several nieces and nephews and many friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and uncle Charles Richard Gammel.

Memorials are suggested to the family.

Pelan Funeral Services in Tekamah is in charge of arrangements.

www.pelanfuneralservices.com

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska library.~~~