Louis David Meyer

Louis D. Meyer 84 of Gladstone, NE. passed away March 30, 2017 at Good Samaritan in Beatrice. He was born August 3, 1932 at Gladstone, NE. to David & Pauline (Wiegert) Meyer. He was an Army Veteran. Preceded by wife Doris (Henkel) Meyer.

Services will be at 10:30 am Monday April 3, 2017 at Faith Lutheran Church in Fairbury. The family will greet friends Sunday April 2nd from 4 to 6 pm at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury. Burial at the Fairbury Cemetery – Fairbury, NE. Memorials to the family’s choice. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury are in charge of arrangements.

Louis David Meyer was born August 3, 1932. He passed away March 30, 2017 due to lung cancer at Beatrice Nebraska. He was born to David Ernest & Pauline Marie Elizabeth Wiegert Meyer on the Meyer family farm on the Thayer – Jefferson County line, 3 miles West of Gladstone. He was the 3rd of 4 children born to David and Pauline. He grew to manhood on the same farm.

He attended a nearby country school and the Trinity Lutheran Parochial School one mile from his home. He was also confirmed at the Trinity Lutheran Church.

He attended Fairbury High School graduating in 1951. On March 7, 1954 at the American Lutheran Church in Fairbury, he was united in marriage to Doris Jean Henkel of Gladstone. They made their home in Gladstone. July 27, 1955 he enlisted in the Army. He did his basic training at Fort Knox, KY. He served at Friedberg Germany. He was a tank driver in the Co D 32nd Tank En company, until May 3, 1957 when he was discharged as a SP4. At the time he was commended as a Pistol Sharpshooter. He enjoyed telling of his time in the service and shared his slides with the children at the Gladstone School on several occasions. One of his favorite stories from his time in the service was how they attached barges together to span the Rhine River & then drove 19 tanks across to the other side.

He returned home to his wife and 13 month old daughter, Marcia. Two more daughters, Janet and Lori completed the family.

Louis and Doris served as sponsors of the Luther League at American Lutheran Church for several years. One of his favorite things to do with the Luther Leaguers was to take them on a hayrack ride in the fall, of course with him driving the tractor. When it snowed he enjoyed pulling the neighborhood children on sleds with the tractor. Louis loved his Farmall “M” and his John Deere 70, both of which he had for many years. He also served on the Gladstone School Board.

He was always ready for a car drive in the country or a family vacation road trip to North Dakota and Minnesota.

Farming was not only his occupation but his hobby. He raised wheat, milo, alfalfa and cattle. He also worked at Canning Trucking, loading and unloading trucks, for over 20 years beginning in 1971.

In his later years he enjoyed telling whoever he met he had 14 girls. He would say, “I have 14 girls…3 daughters, 7 granddaughters and 4 great granddaughters!” The numbers changed as the family grew! That was until “Sonny Boy” or “My Boy”, Kaden, was born. Then it was “14 girls plus Sonny Boy”. Later another great grandson was added to his family tree!

He was proceeded in death by his wife Doris in June 2004, his parents, and brothers Alvin and Victor.

Surviving are daughters Marcia (Roger) Frahm of Ceresco, NE, Janet Meyer of Grafton, NE, and Lori Billenwillms of Gladstone. Granddaughters Lindi, Chelsey, Megan, Jessica, Justina, Lacey, and Shianne. Great grandchildren Aurora, Vivian, Evelyn, Kaden, Ava, Archer and baby Williams (due in July). Also surviving are his sister Loretta Mohling, brother-in-law Eugene Henkel, nieces, nephews and other family members.