Gilbert P.A. Splittgerber, 92, of Plainview, died Sunday, April 25, 2021 at Premier Estates of Pierce.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 1 at Zion Lutheran Church in Plainview. Rev. C. Brian Bucklew will be officiating. Burial will be at the St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Pierce. Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. until service time on Saturday also at the church with a pie and ice cream social during the visitation. Military rites will be conducted by the Tomek Otto Post #72 American Legion of Pierce and the United States Navy Honors Guard.
The family requests memorials be given to Zion Lutheran School in Plainview, 102 North 6th Street, PO Box 159, Plainview, Neb. 68769 or Camp Luther.
Condolences may be expressed to the family on-line at www.stonacekfuneralchapel.com.
Arrangements are with Stonacek Memorial Chapel in Pierce.
Gilbert P.A. Splittgerber was born April 13, 1929 in Pierce to Paul and Augusta (Kesting) Splittgerber. He was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Pierce and confirmed at First Trinity Lutheran Church in Altona. He attended grade school at First Trinity Lutheran School in Altona to the eighth grade, then attended Norfolk High School, and later attended and graduated from Pilger High School in 1946. After high school, Gilbert worked various jobs in the area and helped his family farm. He then enlisted in the United States Navy and served from April 28, 1949 to April 27, 1950.
After the service, Gilbert met his future wife, Joyce Kingston, while she was working as a waitress at the Wayne Cafe. Gilbert enjoyed dancing and card playing more after his marriage to Joyce on Aug. 23, 1951 at Grace Lutheran Church in Wayne. After marriage, the couple lived and farmed in Wayne, Pierce and Antelope counties throughout their marriage until retiring to Plainview in 1998. Gilbert and Joyce belonged to a couple’s card club for over 60 years where they formed friendships still precious to this day. Gilbert enjoyed having coffee in town, playing cards, spending time with his family, and having roast beef with homemade pie that Joyce would make on Sundays after church. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Plainview, served on numerous church boards over the years, and was past elder.
Survivors include his children Jacquelyn (Dave) Fredrickson of Lincoln, Paul (Sally) Splittgerber of Norfolk, Brian Splittgerber of Hickman, Karen Splittgerber of Norfolk; nine grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Joyce in February of 2020; parents, Paul and Augusta; brothers Erwin and Alwin; sisters Lois Steinkraus, Mabel Bargstadt and Norma Buss.
Pallbearers will be Tony Splittgerber, Kelly Splittgerber, Ryan Splittgerber, Aaron Splittgerber, Nathan Fredrickson, Michael Splittgerber, Paul Splittgerber and Chris Pulford.
