Gerald L. Joseph, 87, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Friday, April 18, 2014, at his home in Columbus.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 23 at 11:00 AM at Peace Lutheran Church in Columbus with Rev's Brad Birtell, Michael Klatt and Cory Burma officiating. Military honors will be presented by the American Legion, Hartman Post 84 Honor Guard. Private family interment will be held at a later date in Roselawn Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until service time at the church. There will be a family prayer service at 10:45 AM on Wednesday at the church. Memorials are suggested to Peace Lutheran Choir or Peace Lutheran Church.

Gerald Louis "Jerry" Joseph was born March 8, 1927, in Beatrice, Nebraska, to Walter and Elsie (Prochnow) Joseph. He attended a one room, rural, Lutheran school in Elk Creek, Nebraska, where he was taught by his father through the 8th grade. In 1944 he graduated from Concordia High School in Seward, Nebraska. On March 21, 1945, Gerald enlisted in the United States Navy serving in Guam and Saudi Arabia during World War II and was honorably discharged on July 9, 1946. On April 30, 1949, Gerald was united in marriage to Lorena Von Ahsen at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Williamsburg, Iowa. Gerald worked for Behlen Manufacturing in the plant later becoming a salesman and then Vice President of Sales. He retired from Xerox in 1992.

Jerry was a charter member of Peace Lutheran Church in Columbus, serving as its first president and on several boards. He was a charter member of Lutheran Laymen's League and Peace Choir. He served as an organist for 37 years for Peace Lutheran and St. John's Lutheran Church for 20 years. He obtained his pilot's license and enjoyed flying. Jerry was an avid golfer and fisherman. He enjoyed hunting, gardening, playing cards, and his coffee club.

Gerald is survived by:
Wife – Lorena Joseph of Columbus, NE
Daughter – Sharman (Mylo) Bushing of Lincoln, NE
Son – Mark (Sandy) Joseph of Columbus, NE
Daughter – Peggy (Frank) Skorupa of Columbus, NE
Daughter – Terrie Ewert of Columbus, NE
Son – Jerry (Kelli) Joseph of Omaha, NE
12 Grandchildren
9 Great Grandchildren
Sister – Lorene Morlok of David City, NE
Brother – Walt (Kathy) Joseph of Watertown, WI
Brother – Jim (Fay) Joseph of Oconomowoc, WI
Sister-in-law – Dorothy Joseph of Williamsburg, IA
Brother-in-law – Bill Timm of Watertown, WI
Many nieces and nephews

Gerald was preceded in death by:
Parents – Walter & Elsie Joseph
Brothers – Wilbur, Erwin (in infancy), Edwin, Herb, and Louis Joseph
Sister – Dolores Timm
Brothers-in-law – Herb Morlok and Fred Staub
Sisters-in-law – Vivian Joseph, Gloria Joseph, Phyllis Joseph, and Marion Joseph