Gary Dean “Fizzy” Redel, 73, died Monday, Nov. 15, 2021.
Funeral Mass will be held Friday, Nov. 19 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Elkhorn. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday Nov. 18 at Reichmuth Funeral Home with wake service beginning at 7 p.m. Inurnment will be in Flower Hill Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the family for designation at a later date.
Arrangements are with Reichmuth Funeral Homes and Crematory in Elkhorn.
Gary Dean “Fizzy” Redel was born as a twin on June 11, 1948. He was the fourth child of John and Delores (Meyers) Redel. He was baptized, confirmed, and received his education in Winside. At an early age, Gary became a farmhand for the Kant family in Winside. He learned the arts of farming and raising livestock and developed a passion for tractors. As a teenager, Gary enjoyed working on cars and became a member of the Herschied Racing Team. When Bun Herschied was killed in an auto accident, Willie Mahler brought the “75” race car to West Point. Fizzy met Linda Hagedorn, who lived in the Mahler neighborhood and it became love at first sight.
Upon graduation from Winside High School in 1967, Gary moved to Bennington, assisting his brother-in-law, Darrell Braesch farm and worked full time at John Deere Company in Omaha. Gary was drafted into the US Army and served in Vietnam in the transportation division from July 14, 1969 to Sept. 27, 1970.He received an Army Commendation medal for meritorious service.
Gary married Linda Hagedorn on Nov. 21, 1970. They were blessed with a daughter, Emily, who married Timothy Alan Hurt of Fremont.
Upon termination of the John Deere Depot in 1981, Gary worked for AT&T and Immanuel Hospital. In 1985, Gary accepted a job offer with Bennington Public School. He retired from there after 25 years in 2010.
Fizzy was mild mannered with a quick-witted sense of humor. He had an earthly wisdom that came from the sod rather than schooling. He is remembered as a strong-willed person who was never wrong, only proven correct. Gary was a devoted husband and father who never forgot a birthday, Mother’s Day, or anniversary without a card and gift. People remember him for doing good deeds such as unlocking car doors.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Linda; caring daughter, Emily (Tim) Hurt; sister, Leila Braesch; brother, Stanley (Butch) Redel of Omaha; twin brother, Larry (Kathy) Redel of Columbus; sister-in-law, Gayle Redel-Smith of Holdrege; brother-in-law, Dean (Donna) Hagedorn of Dodge; brother-in-law, Lee (Judy) Hagedorn of Brighton, Colorado; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Delores Redel; brother, Dennis Redel; brother-in-law, Darrell Braesch; sister-in-law, JoAnn Redel; and father & mother-in-law, Ray and Liz Hagedorn.
