Paul Wilke, 55, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Monday, January 25, 2021, at the Columbus Community Hospital.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 30 at 10:30 AM, at Christ Lutheran Church, rural Columbus, with Rev. Aaron Witt officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue on Saturday from 9:30 AM until service time at the church. There will be a family prayer service on Saturday at 10:15 AM at the church. The funeral service will be broadcast live on Gass Haney Funeral Home Facebook page, and the church will broadcast the service on the church parking lot radio frequency. By family request, in lieu of flowers, plants, or stones, memorials are to go to Christ Lutheran Church.

Paul was born on July 13, 1965, in Columbus, the son of Robert and Carolyn (Ebke) Wilke. He attended Christ Lutheran School and graduated from Lakeview High School in 1983. On September 2, 1989, Paul married Kari Brandt at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Platte Center, Nebraska. Paul was a lifelong member of Christ Lutheran church where he held various offices. He was also an active member of the Platte Valley Cattlemen where he served two terms as director and president and was a member of the Nebraska Cattlemen. He had a passion for agriculture and was an FFA member and FFA Alumni president. Paul was currently a board member of the Platte County Ag Society. He was awarded the 1996 Outstanding Area Young Farmer by the Columbus Chamber and was involved in various committees at Lakeview and throughout the community.

Paul had a lifelong love for farming and livestock and so enjoyed his work. He lived his whole life on the family farm north of Columbus. However, his passion was his family, he took great pride in his children and their interests. Paul enjoyed hunting, boating, camping, and spending time with family and friends; he especially enjoyed traveling to Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota visiting with his ranching friends.

Paul is survived by:
Wife: Kari Wilke of Columbus, NE
Son: Braden Wilke of Columbus, NE
Son: Camden Wilke of Columbus, NE
Son: Larson Wilke of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Brooklyn Wilke of Columbus, NE
Mother: Carolyn Wilke of Columbus, NE
Brother: Arlyn (Theresa) Wilke of Albion, NE
Sister: Rachael (Jay) Rodehorst of Columbus, NE
Sister: Anita Wilke of Broomfield, CO
Brother David (Julie) Wilke of Columbus, NE
Mother-in-law: Susan Brandt of Columbus, NE
Brother-in-law: Troy (JoAnn) Brandt of Platte Center, NE
Brother-in-law: Ryan (Meagan) Brandt of Raymond, NE
Many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and cousins

Paul was preceded in death by:
Father: Robert "Bob" Wilke
Infant sister: Janelle Wilke
Father-in-law: Allen Brandt
Grandparents: Gottlieb & Ruth Wilke and Lorenz & Irene Ebke

Service Folder Information
CLOSE THE GATE

For this one farmer the worries are over, lie down and rest your head,
Your time has been and struggles enough, put the tractor in the shed.
Years were not easy, many downright hard, but your faith in God transcended,
Put away your tools and sleep in peace. The fences have all been mended.
You raised a fine family, worked the land well and always followed the Son,
Hang up your shovel inside of the barn; your work here on earth is done.
A faith few possess led your journey through life, often a jagged and stony way,
The sun is setting, the cattle are all bedded, and here now is the end of your day.
Your love of God's soil has passed on to your kin; the stories flow like fine wine,
Wash off your work boots in the puddle left by blessed rain one final time.
You always believed that the good Lord would provide and He always had somehow,
Take off your gloves and put them down, no more sweat and worry for you now.
Your labor is done, your home now is heaven; no more must you wait,
Your legacy lives on, your love of the land, and we will close the gate.

Nancy Kraayenhof




In Loving Memory Of

Paul Wilke

Born ~ Tuesday, July 13, 1965, Columbus, Nebraska

Entered Into Rest ~ Monday, January 25, 2021, Columbus, Nebraska

Service ~ Saturday, January 30, 2021, 10:30 AM
Christ Lutheran Church, Rural Columbus, Nebraska

Officiant ~ Rev. Aaron Witt

Music ~ Ann Cattau – Organist & Soloist
"Well Done"
"I Will Rise"
"Just As I Am"
Congregational Hymns
"How Great Thou Art"
"I'm But A Stranger Here"

Casket Bearers ~ Eric Wilke, Trenton Wilke, Ethan Wilke, Colton Wilke
Weston Rodehorst, Witt Rodehorst, Ashton Brandt

Honorary Casket Bearers ~ Charlie Wilke & Cooper Wilke

Interment ~ Christ Lutheran Cemetery, Rural Columbus, Nebraska