Gilbert R. Fuchs

NORFOLK -- Services for Gilbert R. Fuchs, 77, Pierce, will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Mary's Catholic Church. The Rev. Dan Andrews will officiate with burial in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Pierce. Military rites will be conducted by American Legion Post 72 of Pierce and the United States Army Honors Guard. Visitation will be 4-7:30 p.m. Thursday at Stonacek Funeral Chapel in Norfolk with a 7:30 p.m. rosary. He died Tuesday, May 29, 2012, at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk. Gib was born on Sept. 17, 1934, in Norfolk, to Michael and Elizabeth (Bruckner) Fuchs. He attended rural elementary schools and two years of school in Battle Creek before leaving to work full time on the family farm. Gilbert was always willing to lend a hand to friends and neighbors. At the age of 21, he helped someone move to Santa Anna, Calif. Gib enjoyed the west coast so much that he decided to stay there for a year, working as a shop foreman at Hale Young Ford. He returned to Nebraska in 1956 and farmed for a year before being drafted into the U.S. Army. He served from Nov. 22, 1957, to Sept. 21, 1959. After completing basic training at Fort Collins, Colo., he served as a chauffeur for the Pentagon until 1959. Gilbert loved going to farm sales and his children have many memories of hauling equipment home from Cornlea. He also had a passion for traveling and took each child on a trip after they finished high school. Gib also went on numerous adventures with his friend Doug Eiuning, including overseas trips to Europe and China. On Sept. 17, 1967, Gilbert married Pauline Pilger at St. Mary's Church in Norfolk. Following their nuptials, the couple made their home on the Fuchs family farm southwest of Pierce. Gib was a lifelong farmer and salvage dealer with a gift for gab and a knack for getting people excited about his many projects. He also enjoyed eating out with family and friends. Gilbert was a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Norfolk, where he volunteered as an usher for many years. He is survived by his children, Jim Fuchs and wife Brandi of Hoskins, Julie Albin and husband Bill of Chicago, Ill., Joseph Fuchs and wife Brenda and Jason Fuchs and wife Angie of Norfolk; 11 grandchildren, Kalob, Jayden, Kody, Katie, Hollie, Derrick, Dennis, Drew, Justin, Tyler and Dylan; and sister, Vyiolette Doernemann of Dodge; and sister-in-law, Audrey Wedekind of Columbus. Gilbert was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Elizabeth (Bruckner) Fuchs; granddaughter, Katherine Fuchs; brother, Allen Fuchs; and brother-in-law, Don Doernemann. Music will be provided by organist Mary Bruckner. Casket bearers will be Brian Doernemann, Dough Eiuning, Randy Fuchs, Robert Fuchs, Steve Gable and Phil Wiedenfeld. Honorary casketbearers will be Randy Bretschneider, Leon Hintz, Dennis Jensen, Ron Heria, Jim Siedschlag, Max Unseld and Lyle Venteicher.

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Gilbert R. Fuchs

September 17, 1934 - May 29, 2012