Gary DeWester

Gary DeWester
Garryth Lynn DeWester was born September 19th, 1944 to James (Bud ) DeWester and Wynona Mullanix DeWester Springer in Benkelman, Nebraska. He departed this life to be at home with his Lord and Savior on November 4, 2014.
Gary grew up in Benkelman where his love for hunting and fishing began at a young age. It was Gary's Aunt Bonnie who would drive him to ponds and lakes to fish or take him to the hunting spots of his choice, never minding the hours she had to wait on him. His entire life he looked forward to the hunting and fishing seasons, laying in the hills to call coyotes, sitting in the tree stands to wait for deer, walking the terrains for arrow heads, and waiting for the crappie and walleye to bite. All revealed his deep passion for the outdoors and the avid hunter and fisherman that he was.
Gary shared numerous outdoor adventures with his children and grandchildren where he instilled in them his love for the outdoors that left them the memories and stories to tell for a life time.
Gary married Janice Stamm on December 14th, 1963 celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary last December. After graduating from Chadron State College with a teaching degree in education, Gary and Jan moved to Ruskin, Nebraska where he began teaching science, chemistry, and coaching high school girls’ volleyball.
In 1974 Gary and Jan moved to Wauneta, Nebraska where they raised their three children Michelle, Teresa, and Chad. Gary continued teaching and coaching volleyball taking the girls to the state volleyball tournament several times. His coaching legacy will be remembered by the famous white towel around his neck and yelling phrases like ”HIT THE BALL", "GET THE LEAD OUT", and IT"S NOT DINK BALL, IT'S VOLLEYBALL".
Gary served on the Wauneta City Council and for a time served as chairman of the board.
Gary began working summers for the Farmers Coop Exchange and after he retired from teaching he continued working full time for the Coop until his retirement in 2010.
Gary was well liked and respected by faculty, students, athletes, co-workers, and the community that he served. Young and old, friends and buddies were impacted with his generosity and way of life. He will always be remembered by all for his stern demeanor, his sense of humor, his servant attitude and his soft heart.
Gary will be missed by his mother Wynona of Benkelman, wife Jan, daughters Michelle Harchelroad and husband Brian of Wauneta, Teresa Wynn and husband David of Owasso, Oklahoma, son Chad and wife Jennifer of Wauneta, grandchildren Dawnta, and husband Jeff Morrison, Sydnee, Dalton, Baleigh, Grant, Camden, and Maggie, one sister Carla Fassler of Culbertson and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death was his Dad James (Bud) DeWester, infant daughter Kimberly Lynn, step-dad Keith Springer and brother in law Kim Fassler.
Memorial Services will be 11:00 A.M. (CT), Saturday, November 8th, 2014 at the Hamlet Union Church in Hamlet, Nebraska with Pastor J.R. Kline officiating. A private family inurnment will take place at a later date.
No visitation; cremation was chosen.
Memorials have been established to the Wauneta EMTs and Wauneta Senior Center.
Online condolences can be left at liewerfuneralhome.com
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