Gary Bolek

Memorial services for 75-year old Gary Bolek are Monday, June 5, 2023 at 2:00 at the Bates-Gould Chapel in Alliance, NE.  

Burial with full military honors will be at the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery in Alliance.  

Dinner will follow the burial at the Westside Event Center in Alliance.

Memorials may be given to the Hemingford Volunteer Firefighters Association, your local VFW or the American Legion.

Online condolences may be left at batesgould.com

Gary L Bolek was born on May 21, 1948 in Rushville, NE, to Joe and Edna Bolek.  He died May 26, 2023 at his feedlot doing what he loved.

Gary was the baby of the family – #11. He grew up in the Sandhills of Nebraska and graduated from Rushville High School in 1966. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and was inducted September 20, 1966.

After serving 2 years including a one year tour of duty in Vietnam he was honorably discharged in September 1968.  While in Vietnam he earned the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Marksman Badge (Rifle M-14.) 

Gary married Vikki Vogel on May 31, 1969.  To this union 4 children were born, Tara, Bradley, Lacey and Bridget.

Gary worked for the Kansas-Nebraska Gas Company after his marriage for 3 years, then went into farming with his father-in-law, Leonard Vogel.  He was awarded the Jaycees Outstanding Farmer/Rancher Award in 1973. 

After farming for a few years, he decided it was time to start feeding cattle as well. He fed a few cattle at various locations until 1981, when it became a full-fledged project.  

He would feed the cattle to fat, and could guess their weight within 10 pounds and know when they were ready to be marketed. To the day of his death, he was still feeding the cattle at the feedlot.

Gary always had a passion for beautiful growing crops, and took pride in the look of his feedlot – especially when it was full of nice fat cattle.  

He hated the water but loved to fish even though he didn’t take the time to do it.  He was looking forward to fishing with his grandson Dion after retirement, which was coming within 2 months.  

As for what kind of husband, father or grandfather he was, just ask his wife, children and grandchildren as he was loved and respected so much.

He is survived by his wife Vikki of 54 years; daughters Tara (Ken) Gibson of Alliance, Lacey (Kyle) Kugler of Parker, CO, and Bridget (Aaron) Tupa of Lincoln, NE; and son Bradley Bolek of Hay Springs. 

He is also survived by grandsons Dion Gibson, Aiden Bolek, Atley Bolek and Teegan Tupa; granddaughters Sierra Gibson (Sam Bartek), Madison Gibson, Emily (Doug) Finney, Brextyn Bolek, Braekli Bolek, Larkin Tupa and Bellamy Tupa; great-grandchildren Amelia Gibson and Couric Bartek; step-grandchildren Justin (Candice) Gibson, Mike (Keri) Gibson, Branden (Winter) Gibson, Valoree (Chris) Schmidt, Chris (Kyren) Gibson and their families.  

Other survivors include his brothers Richard (Carolyn) Bolek, Joe (Judy) Bolek, and Lynn Bolek; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Dewayne, Larry, Melvin, Jerry and Harold; and sisters Judy Taylor and Pat Bauer.