Dennis E. Gurley

Dennis Elra Gurley was called to his heavenly home in Milligan, Nebraska on September 1, 2023 surrounded by his family. Dennis was born to Willard and Neola (Tupy) Gurley on October 10, 1943, in Omaha, Nebraska. Dennis was baptized as an infant and confirmed his faith when he was in eighth grade in the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church. As a child, Dennis grew up traveling with his family, as his father was on active duty in the Army. Dennis lived in many places during his early life including; Oklahoma, California, North and South Carolina, and Germany, but Dennis eventually came back to Nebraska, living in the Crete and Friend areas, until finally settling in Milligan for the remainder of his life. Dennis would share stories of his childhood such as fishing under the Golden Gate Bridge while living in California, playing with Little Big Chief in Oklahoma, playing baseball in Germany, and how he was active in the Boy Scouts where he eventually became an Eagle Scout. Dennis graduated from Friend High School in 1962 where he earned the nickname “Gunner”. While in high school he excelled in football and track. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Army and was in the 82nd Air Borne, stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Dennis spent active duty in the Dominican Republic during the Vietnam Era, earning an Expeditionary Service Parachutist Badge. Dennis returned home from active duty and obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from the University of Nebraska, majoring in History. After being an educator and high school coach for several years, he decided to pursue other opportunities in sales. Dennis and his son James moved to Ruskin after Dennis took a teaching position. There he met the love of his life Kimberly Hinz. Dennis and Kimberly were married in Ruskin, Nebraska in 1983. Together they had four children: Mollie, Abigail, Seth, and Sara Jo. Dennis loved to teach his children to garden, hunt, fish, about world history and geography, and most of all, how to drive the country roads. Later in life, he had 10 grandbabies to love. He enjoyed spending time teaching them the same things he taught his children. Dennis was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Tobias, Nebraska, Lifetime Member of the V.F.W. Post 4959 Crete, Nebraska, American Legion HSSK Post #240 Milligan, Nebraska and WFLA. After a 5-year battle with Dementia/Alzheimer’s, Dennis passed into the Lord’s arms. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents Willard and Neola Gurley; infant brother Keith; father-in-law James D. Hinz, uncle Dale Tupy and nephew Jacob Kleen. Dennis is survived by his wife, Kimberly Ann (Hinz) Gurley of Milligan, Nebraska; Sons, James (Allison) Gurley of Ashland, Virginia, Seth (Ashlea) Gurley of Duncan, Nebraska; Daughters, Mollie (Mike) Gurley-Drake of Firth, Nebraska, Abigail (Brent) Reinsch of Geneva, Nebraska, Sara Jo (Bryan) Kunert of Fairmont, Nebraska; Brothers, Garry (Jean) Gurley of Friend, Nebraska and Michael Gurley of Edmond, Oklahoma; Grandchildren, Jade (Lukas) Wickam, Connor & McKenzie Drake, Henry & Theadore Reinsch, Elaina, Emmalynne, & Eleanor Gurley, Hailey & Jordyn Kunert; Great Grandchildren, Emmerson & Grace Wickam; Godchildren, J.C. Hinz and Shandra (Korbelik) Reinsch; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. A Funeral Service for Dennis was held on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at Zion Lutheran Church in Tobias, Nebraska. Pastor Gideon Pullmann presided over the Funeral Service. Janile Campbell was the organist and she accompanied the congregation in the singing of “Amazing Grace,” “On Eagle’s Wings,” and “Borning Cry.” Pallbearers for the Funeral Service included Christopher Steuben, Scott Gurley, J.C. Hinz, Luke Kleen, Andrew Hinz, Kurt Dvorak, Josh Crowl, and Craig Tupy. A Graveside Service with Military Honors was held in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery following the Funeral Service. Military Rites were performed by the Milligan American Legion HSSK Post 240 and the Nebraska Military Honor Guard. Farmer & Son Funeral Home was in care of the arrangements and online condolences can be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com Memorials are suggested to the Zion Lutheran Church or the Milligan Public Library.

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Dennis E. Gurley

October 10, 1943 - September 1, 2023