Gary Lee Zierke

PIERCE – Services for Gary L. Zierke, 84, of Pierce, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Pierce, NE. Officiating the service will be Reverend Leon Rosenthal. Interment will be held at Prospect View Cemetery, rural Pierce, NE. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at Zion Lutheran Church, Pierce. Gary passed away on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at the Osmond General Hospital. Stonacek Memorial Chapel in Pierce is in charge of the arrangements. Gary Lee Zierke was born in Norfolk, NE on April 25th, 1941 as the first born of Alfred and Ella Mae Zierke (Behrens). He was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church in Pierce on August 5, 1941 and Confirmed at Zion Lutheran School on April 3, 1955. He graduated from Pierce High School in 1959. While in high school he was an accomplished basketball player, starting both his junior and senior years. After high school he worked for several companies on paving crews and became an expert form setter and shortly after was promoted to foreman. He was very proud of many of the projects he worked on and would often point them out to family on trips. With being off work in the winter he became an avid bowler going to ABC National's with teammates every year and even contemplated going pro as he carried over a 200 average for several years. On November 2nd, 1974 he married Donna Buckendahl (Schulz). Later on in 1975 he adopted Donna's two sons Gerald and James. With him now being a married man and father, he got off the road and took a job working for Don Lenz construction building houses. He even built the basement and garage at his residence and later on designed and built the wooden decks and patios for his home. Later on, he went to work for Al Collison at Parco Inc. insulation company as plant foreman 1979 to 2010 and stayed through several ownership changes eventually retiring at age 69 with Green Fiber as their shag truck driver. As a younger man he truly enjoyed fishing and hunting especially with his cousins and later on his sons. He continued to enjoy bowling on several leagues for most of his life even on mixed leagues with Donna. He really enjoyed gardening with flowers and growing vegetables to provide for his family and took meticulous care of his immaculate yard. He was also a big sports fan particularly of football, volleyball, baseball, and basketball following the Nebraska Cornhuskers, the Pierce Bluejays, and the Chicago Cubs. Gary was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church and a past officer and member of the Pierce Volunteer Fire Department. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Gene in 1958, and his brother Monte in 2022. He is survived by his wife Donna of Pierce, sons; Gerald (Brenda) of Richland, and James of Pierce, sister Deb (Troy) Leisner of Pierce, sisters-in-law; Marcia Zierke of Norfolk, Eileen Zierke of Wayne, and Jerilyn Wardlow of Virginia Beach, VA. Granddaughter Amber Misek of Minden and her children Landon, Ellysha, and Seth and Amber's grandson Jace. Grandson Brian Zierke and his daughter Hailey of Richland. Grandson Daniel and wife Suzy and their children Savannah, Payton, Asher, Beckam, Mia, and Knox of Columbus. Grandson Matthew and wife Molly and their children Addilyne and Tucker of Richland, and Grandson Marcus and wife Michelle of Richland. Also, many beloved nieces and nephews. Pallbearers are Amber Misek, Brian Zierke, Daniel Zierke, Matthew Zierke, Marcus Zierke, Kyle Mattson, and Gene Zierke. Honorary Pallbearers are Ed Neppl, Dallas and Lynn Gansebom, Val Riedel, Paul Buss, John Meier, Jim Neel, and Scott Mattson. Online condolences may be sent to www.stonacekfuneralchapel.com

Tributes

Gary Lee Zierke

April 25, 1941 - April 26, 2025