Gary Schaefer

Gary L. Schaefer, 82, of Columbus, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2026, at Methodist Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, May 5th, at 10:30 AM, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Columbus, with Father Patrick Harrison celebrating the Mass. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 9:00 AM until service time at the church. Burial is in All Saints Cemetery. All are invited to Wunderlich’s, 304 23rd St., following the committal service at the cemetery, for lunch and a time of fellowship and sharing memories with the family.

Gary was born on February 27, 1944, in Plainview, Nebraska, to Fred and Hazel (Dredge) Schaefer. He spent the majority of his life in Columbus, where he built a career and raised a family. Gary dedicated much of his professional life to serving as a Land Management Coordinator for Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) in Columbus. Through his work, he earned the respect of colleagues and community members alike.

On May 10, 1965, Gary was united in marriage to Marilyn Rupprecht at St. Bonaventure Church in Columbus.  To this union, Gary and Marilyn were blessed with two children - Gary Jr. and Sandy.  Gary was a man who truly enjoyed life’s simple pleasures. Gary loved hunting and snowmobiling and was always ready to lend a helping hand to friends and family. He rarely missed an opportunity to attend the activities and events of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, often capturing those moments through his camera lens. One of his greatest joys was smoking meats —especially sticks, jerky, sausage, and other meats to share with friends and family.

Gary was a faithful member of St. Anthony’s Parish.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Marilyn; his son, Gary Schaefer Jr. (Deb); his daughter, Sandy Voss (ex-husband Kevin Voss); his grandchildren, Shaelyn Voss (Dillon Gabriel), Dylan Voss (Skylar Hampton), and Leyton Voss (Alexandra Chavez); and his great-grandchildren, Elleani Voss, Barrett Friedrichsen, and soon-to-arrive Baby Gabriel. Sister-in-Law Loretta Sirdashney, Sister-in-Law and Brother-in-Law Phyllis (Ken) Wellensiek and many nieces and nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by his mother and father, Fred and Hazel Schaefer, brothers/sisters and in-laws Frederick (LaVern) Schaefer, Lyle (Jean) Schaefer, Robert (Mardella) Schaefer, Geraldine Schaefer and Joan Schaefer. Nephews Lyle Schaefer Jr., Dale Schaefer, Neil Schaefer. Mother-in-Law and Father-in-Law Florence and Mark Rupprecht, Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law Rex and Carolyn Rupprecht and Sister-in-Law Delores Rupprecht, Brother-in-Law Robert Sirdashney and Nephew Andrew Sirdashney

He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.