Germain "Gerry" Engelbert

Germain (Gerry) Engelbert, age 85, died Friday, March 8, 2024 at his home in Columbus.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 16, 2024 at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church. Visitation is 4:00 -7:00 p.m. Friday, with a 7:00 p.m. Vigil Service at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church. Visitation will continue Saturday morning from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. also at the church. Interment will be at All Saints Cemetery.

In lieu of plants and flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Bonaventure Church or Scotus Central Catholic High School.

Gerry was born October 2, 1938, on the family farm in rural Madison County, near St. Bernard, Nebraska to Joe and Mary Engelbert.  Gerry grew up on the farm and attended St. Bernard School, Humphrey St. Francis High School, and graduated from Humphrey High School in 1957. He continued his education at Norfolk Junior College.  On May 7, 1960, he was united in marriage to Kathy Kurtenbach at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Columbus. Gerry was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.  He was very active at St. Bon's and Scotus, serving on many boards, ministries, and fundraising committees.  He was a proud employee of NPPD for 41 years, spent 40 years as a member of the Scotus Chain Gang, and participated in over 60 years of perpetual adoration.

Gerry was always up for a chance to be with people, whether it was a birthday or graduation party, anniversary, tailgate, card game, or sporting event.  His friendships spanned multiple generations.  He enjoyed riding his bike around town and visiting with all who crossed his path.  Gerry and Kathy traveled to Nebraska football games all over the country, and upon retirement, visited many locations including the Holy Land, the Vatican, Lourdes, and his homeland in Germany.  He loved spending time with his family, which almost always involved a game of cards, polka music in the background, and a glass of Elk Creek or a cold beer.

He is survived by:

Wife: Kathy (Kurtenbach) Engelbert of Columbus, NE

Son: Tim Engelbert of Ft. Worth, TX

Son: Dave (Kristina) Engelbert of Chandler, AZ

Son: Alan (Carin) Engelbert of Allen, TX

Son: Pat (Jill) Engelbert of Omaha, NE

Daughter: Sarah (Joel) Brett of Des Moines, IA

18 Grandchildren and 1 Great Grandchild

Siblings: Ted (Marge) Engelbert, Mary Ann (Alvin) Korth, Jack (Arlene) Engelbert, Gene (Jan) Engelbert, Joe (Judy) Engelbert, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Mary Engelbert.