Bill Gastmann

Bill Gastmann, 85, of Marysville, KS, died February 25, 2012 at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Lincoln, NE. A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 28, at State Line Lutheran Church north of Marysville, Kansas. Rev. Tim Wiggins officiated. Mary Lou Retchless played the organ while the choir sang “One Day at a Time.” The congregation sang “How Great Thou Art”, “One Eagles Wings” and “What a Friend We Have In Jesus.” The pallbearers were Ron Loges, Ryan Tjaden, Brian Tjaden, Delmo Fragel, Delmar Gerdes and Delmar Schotte. Burial was in the Marysville City Cemetery. Bill was born March 30, 1926 near Oketo, KS, the son of Egbert and Folke (Reiter) Gastmann. He served in the Navy from June 1, 1944 until May 23, 1946. From 1947 until 1956 Bill lived in Kansas City, MO, where he worked for General Motors and a body shop. After moving back to Marysville he worked for Schroller Body Shop and later the Herkimer Co-op. He did body and fender work in his spare time. In April 1965, he purchased Lone Elm Service and did automotive body work there. In 2006, he retired due to ill health. Bill was a life member of the State Line Lutheran Church where he served on the church council. He was also a member of American Legion, DAV and Jay-Husker Antique Car Club. He enjoyed working on gasoline engines, corn schellers and old cars. He liked to go camping with friends and take his grandchildren camping and fishing. He was a baseball coach in the Herkimer League. On October 30, 1948 he married Delores Lutjemeier at Marysville. She survives. Other survivors include his daughter, Kathy (Mike) Wilson, Bremen; son, Gary Gastmann, Marysville; three grandchildren, Diane (Rob) Houk, Marissa (Gary) Kepley and Dustin Wilson; one great-grandchild, Grady Kepley; sisters, Henrietta Oltman and Gertie Hayes, both of Wymore, NE; and brother, Leonard Gastmann, Lincoln, NE. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Harm and Donald; and sister, Jenny Messick. A memorial fund has been established. Contributions may be sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bill Gastmann, please visit our flower store.