Lester Elmer Gaibler, age 94, died September 2, 2021 at Gothenburg Health in Gothenburg, NE.

Lester entered this life on October 15, 1926 at the Farnam Hospital in Farnam, NE, born to Christian Gottlieb and Lucile (Bick) Gaibler. Lester was raised northeast of Farnam. He attended Farnam Public School and graduated in 1943.

He was united in marriage to Laura Marie Rieker on June 16, 1949 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Eustis, NE. Lester was confirmed into the Lutheran faith on April 2, 1950, and has stayed a lifelong member.

Lester and Laura made their home on a farm west of Farnam until 1992, when they moved to the present home in Farnam. They celebrated 60 years of marriage in June of 2009.

Lester was a meticulous and innovative farmer and was always looking for ways to improve the land. He added irrigation in the 70’s and loved revamping machinery to make it more useful. He also worked for Monroe Auto in Cozad, NE for 17 years as the foreman of the maintenance crew on 3rd shift. After retiring Lester kept busy by being a handyman around Farnam, fixing and repairing items for anyone who needed help. Lester could always be found out in the shop working on a project and helping with harvest every fall.

Lester is survived by his daughter, Gwen (Rick) Kotschwar of Farnam, daughter-in-law Salome (Howard) Gaibler of Great Falls, VA, granddaughter Gretchin (John) Heckenlively of Gretna, NE, grandson Derek (Amanda) Kotschwar of Martell, NE, granddaughter Stephanie (Nicolas) Sutton of Reston, VA, grandson Christian Gaibler of New York City, NY along with great grandchildren Mason and Elle Heckenlively of Gretna, NE and Riley and Reed Kotschwar of Martell, NE, and one sister, Ruth Sturgeon of Cozad, NE, brother-in-law Wayne Rieker (Joanne) Rieker of Grand Island.

Lester was preceded in death by his wife, Laura, son Floyd on January 21, 2021, parents Christian (JC) and Lucile Gaibler, sister Geneva (Alfred) Friesenborg, brother Orville (Jeweldine) Gaibler and brother-in-law Henry Sturgeon.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, Nebraska; Wednesday, September 8, 2021, 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

Services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Thursday, September 9, 2021 at 11:00 am with Rev. Jeff Cottingham officiating.

Interment will follow in the Eustis East Cemetery, Eustis, Nebraska.

Memorials may be given to the Farnam Senior Center, the Farnam Rescue Squad or the Farnam Library.

Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, September 9, 2021