Gene Libal of Lexington Nebraska departed us Thursday, February 10th, 2022 at Gothenburg Health. Gene was 75 years old. Unfortunately complications of cancer and heart conditions succumbed him to his greater resting place. Born December 30th, 1946, in Lexington, Nebraska to Wilson and Berenice Libal, Gene was the second of four children. He graduated from Lexington High School in 1965. He later went on to the University of Nebraska in Lincoln where he earned the honor of becoming a member of the AGR fraternity, graduating in 1970. Gene was an All-American wrestler at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. He wrestled in many Greco Roman and Free Style tournaments. He even went on to wrestle at the Pan Am Games. He helped his kids and many others learn how to wrestle for many years.
He taught Vocational Ag in Battle Creek and Minden Nebraska and then started farming and ranching with his dad Wilson. Later he worked at IBP, Fairbanks International and continued his career putting up silage. He also worked at many other farm operations for friends and enjoyed retirement but never kept idle. If Gene didn’t drive all the way around Dawson County, it was a bad day.
Gene was married to Kathy Benjamin Libal March 1st, 1980 and they were married for 30 years. During that time, they conceived four children Shelby, Jason, Joe and Erin.
Gene was a lifetime member of the Buffalo Grove Presbyterian Church. His faith was strong and helped him throughout his life. In his later years Gene enjoyed being a church handyman and performed many Sunday services.
Gene was an instructor for the Dawson County Tractor Safety Course for many years.
Gene was a 4H member of Hillside Sparkplugs. He installed the love of animals and agriculture in his many kids from an early age.
Gene was known for his love of food and his prowess of barbequing. He competed and won many contests. He catered many parties and loved to cut Prime Rib at the Cozad Elks Lodge #2250 where he was a member and prior Trustee. He loved to share his techniques and cook for his “boys” at his annual Christmas Party.
Gene was honored by the ESU 10 in Kearney Nebraska for 25 years of service.
Gene loved to help others in many ways - close friends and even others that he had just met. Gene’s upbeat attitude and great sense of humor made an impression on everyone he met.
Gene loved to go to auctions. He loved to collect guns and was always looking for a deal deal.
He was Gene to most, Geneo to the others, and Papi to his kids. Gene was a great father and never met a stranger.
Gene was a cancer survivor and very proud of it. He loved everyone that helped take care of him, when he was in the hospital or recovering at home. He will be so missed.
Gene is preceded in death by his parents, Wilson and Berenice and children: Shelby and Jason.
He is survived by his siblings: George (Mitzi) Libal of Austin Texas, Cheryln Libal of Lexington Nebraska and Jan (Ron) Schlattmann of Alliance Nebraska, his children: Joe Libal (Amber Lubben) of Gothenburg Nebraska and Erin Libal (Tony Gill) of Omaha Nebraska and his grandson Julian McCoy and several nieces and nephews and many friends.
Visitation will be held Friday, February 18, 2022 from 5-8 p.m. with the family present from 6-8 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington.
Services will be Saturday, February 19th, 2022 at the Buffalo Grove Church, Lexington, Nebraska at 11:00 AM with Pastor Jill Boyd, officiating
Interment will be in the church cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital Or the Buffalo Grove Presbyterian Church.
There will be a lunch and celebration of life to follow at the Cozad Elks Lodge.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com
