Aubrey L. Saltzman

A Funeral Service for Aubrey will be held on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at the Salem Mennonite Church in rural Shickley, Nebraska with Pastor Ben Schlegel presiding. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with the family present at Farmer & Son Funeral Home in Geneva, Nebraska. Graveside Services will be held following the funeral service at the Salem Mennonite Church Cemetery in rural Shickley, Nebraska. Memorials are to be directed to the family to be designated at a later date. Aubrey's Funeral Service will be Livestreamed on Farmer & Son Funeral Home's Facebook Page. You do not have to have Facebook to view the livestream. Link is provided below. The livestream will start approximately 5 minutes before the Funeral Service. (Click this link or Copy & Paste). https://www.facebook.com/friendlyfuneraldirectors/ Aubrey Saltzman passed away peacefully on July 16th, 2025, in Lincoln, Nebraska. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, unwavering integrity, and a deep devotion to both his loved ones and the land he worked his entire life. Born on April 2, 1938, in a farmhouse near Shickley, Nebraska, Aubrey was the eighth of ten children born to Benjamin and Gertrude Saltzman. He grew up a classic farm kid—attending country school (yes, walking two miles uphill both ways), milking cows, raising livestock, and helping with crops. In his youth – he was baptized and became a member of Salem Mennonite Church. His upbringing in those early years helped shape the strong work ethic and resilience that would define him for life. Aubrey graduated from Shickley High School in 1955, where he enjoyed running track and playing basketball—when the farm chores allowed. Just last weekend, he had looked forward to celebrating his 70th high school reunion with his remaining classmates. Aubrey learned to drive young, and one of his most-told stories involved driving a cattle truck to the Omaha Stockyards as a boy, with his father Ben riding shotgun. When pulled over by a curious officer questioning why such a young boy was behind the wheel, Ben simply said, “He can’t learn to drive on the highway if he’s just driving in the field.” The officer nodded and waved them on. Cattle buying became a lifelong passion. Taught by his father, Aubrey quickly developed a sharp eye and strong instincts. At just 16, he purchased his first group of cattle on his own, marking the foundation of a lifelong career as a cattle buyer. His reputation for honesty, integrity and fairness earned him the trust of farmers, feeders, and ranchers across the country. In 1962, while working as a truck driver for Goodwill in Portland, Oregon, Aubrey met Glenda Henry. After a few years of long-distance dating, they married on July 30, 1965—would have been 60 years next week. Together, they raised two children. Aubrey worked alongside his brothers Don and Roland in trucking before focusing fully on cattle buying. He helped form Saltzman Bros. and Saltzman Inc. with his brothers, a family-run business encompassing farming, cattle feeding, trucking, and cattle order buying. Their tight-knit team and commitment to quality and trust earned them a respected place in the agricultural community. Over the decades, Aubrey logged millions of miles on the road, always prioritizing the interests of his customers. Known for his honesty and eye for quality, he often advised clients to hold off if prices weren’t right—a rare and valued trait in the business. His straightforward nature, combined with a gift for conversation, helped him form lasting friendships everywhere he went. Whether on a family vacation in the California Redwoods or at a wedding in Salt Lake City, it was never a surprise when he bumped into someone he knew. Aubrey is survived by his wife, Glenda; son Jerel (Trichia) Saltzman; daughter Jerilynn (Phillip) Robinson; and grandchildren Hanna and Regan Saltzman, and Emerie, Ethan, and Evan Robinson. He is also survived by brothers Darreld (Rhonda) Saltzman and Gary (Donna) Saltzman; sisters Mattie Kuhns and Barbara (Larry) Eichelberger; sister-in-law Leona Saltzman; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Gaylord, Roland, and Donald (Pat) Saltzman; sisters Ruby (Mahlon) Kennel and Bonnie (Don) Stutzman; brother-in-law Don Kuhns; and nephews Kevin and Darreld Stutzman, Brian Saltzman, and Grant Eichelberger. In the spirit of Aubrey as he leaves us today “Have a better day!”

Tributes

Aubrey L. Saltzman

April 2, 1938 - July 16, 2025